To properly identify these caterpillars requires a prepared specimen with a microscope. Unfortunately, those hairs are often missing because they break off naturally as part of the caterpillar’s defense mechanism. Some sources might tell you to use the location and number of the longer tufts of white or black hairs to identify these caterpillars. Most of these caterpillars come in a range of colors from bright yellow to bright white even within the same species. Identifying fuzzy caterpillars in the fall is challenging, even for trained entomologists.
For any unknown insect, it is always best to avoid making contact unless you are familiar with the species and potential risks for stings or irritation. Some have stories told about them that are best termed fanciful or imaginative. Most commonly are “What is this?” and “Can I touch it?” From a distance, these caterpillars appear inviting with variable coloration and tufts of hair protruding from their exoskeleton. That's all there is they just want to sleep for the winter in a dark, sheltered spot.īy springtime, the caterpillar forms a cocoon, and a few weeks later becomes an Isabella tiger moth, which is active at night throughout the summer.Hairy or fuzzy caterpillars are a curious sight that elicit questions to Michigan State University Extension educators. Lastly, the caterpillar travels north, south, east or west in search of a place to curl up and hibernate for the winter. The woolly caterpillar’s coat helps it survive the winter, living through temperatures as low as -90 degrees! As a result, we may see many different color and hair variations each fall that would alter the folklore’s forecast. So, the coloring and size of the woolly worm tell us about the past, not the future.Ĭaterpillars shed their skins several times before reaching adult size, and their colors change with their age, too. The width of the banding is an indicator of the current or past season’s growth. The better the preceding growing season, the bigger the woolly worm will grow.
In North America, there are over 200 species.
The caterpillar’s coloring is thought to be based on its age, how long it’s been feeding and its species. The caterpillar can’t predict what Old Man Winter has in store for the upcoming winter season. As much fun as it is to search for the woolly worm each fall, don’t put your bets on it.
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