Can woolly bear caterpillars predict the weather?
Who doesn’t love the fuzzy woolly bear caterpillar? As a child growing up in the north country, I would sit on the grass every chance I could with one or more resting in my hand or exploring the fibers of my shirt. It was magical. Seeing one now brings back happy memories. Touching one is even better. There are some who believe that woolly bear caterpillars, also called woolly worms, are winter weather predictors.
How band segments determine the approaching winter’s severity.
To fully understand the reasoning behind this caterpillar’s forecasting ability, we need some background on the woolly bear itself. When the weather warms, woolly bear caterpillars hatch from the eggs of the female Isabella Tiger Moth or Pyrrharctia Isabella. This caterpillar is a fuzzy 2 toned collection of 13 segments either rust or black in color. Segments can vary. Some caterpillars will have a rusty mid-section with 2 black ends while others can be predominantly rust colored or black.
In the fall, they can be found nestled in small spaces in and around rocks, logs and bark seeking shelter from the cold. To prepare for the winter, they eat as much as possible before entering into a frozen larval state. In the spring, the woolly bears metamorphize into an adult moth. The band length and color of the caterpillars will determine the winter prediction.
Here’s where it gets really interesting. Each year there are 2 generations of caterpillars, the first in June/July and the second in September. It is believed the band length of the second generation in September can determine the severity of the approaching winter. Caterpillars with wider rusty colored bands or a predominantly rusty coloration will indicate a milder winter. Woolly bears presenting with predominantly black bands will indicate a more severe one. (ALMANAC, 2022). For more particular fun facts on this caterpillar visit this link. https://www.weather.gov/arx/woollybear
It seems the Farmer’s Almanac and local newscasters may have some competition…… or not. Can the woolly bear predict the weather? You decide. Regardless, the story is an interesting and fun one to say the least.
I hope this information made you smile. Please share, link, and pass the word to others. If you have questions or comments, please reach out. I would love to hear from you. As always, thank you for visiting.
Wishing you continued health and wellness and a woolly winter.
Kimberly I
Sources
ALMANAC. (2022, May 26). Do Woolly Worms Really Predict Winter Weather? Yankee Publishing Inc. https://www.almanac.com/woolly-bear-caterpillars-and-weather-prediction
National Weather Service. (n.d.). Woolly Bear Caterpillar – Winter Predictor Or Not? U. S. Department of Commerce. https://www.weather.gov/arx/woollybear
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