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 Looks
like a Mild Winter!
According
to the legend of the woolly bear caterpillar, the wider
that middle brown (rust-colored) section is (ie. the
more brown segments there are) the milder the coming
winter will be. If you see more dark, the winter will
be harsh.
Woolly
bears are one of the few caterpillars people can identify
by name. Sunny, fall days are terrific times to look
for the caterpillars since they are moving to look
for overwintering sites.
Did
you know woolly bears survive in the Arctic? These are
amazing animals! Once
the caterpillar has found a protected site and the temperatures
drop, it creates a natural organic antifreeze. They
freeze bit by bit, until everything but the interior
of their cells are frozen. These caterpillars can survive
in temperatures as low as -90 degrees F. The woolly
bear caterpillar has even been known to survive an entire
winter completely frozen in an ice cube. When
spring arrives, woolly bears spin fuzzy cocoons and
transform into a moth - Isabella Tiger Moth (Photos).
If
you find a woolly bear caterpillar scurrying across
your path, enjoy it for a moment. For fun, examine the
bands on the caterpillar and see if you can make a prediction
for the upcoming winter. Then, gently release the caterpillar
near leaves and other debris so it can find shelter.
(Note: The stiff hairs on these caterpillars may be
irritating if you have very sensitive skin. If you want
to examine the caterpillar closer, gently move it to
a leaf or stick where you can handle it without worrying
about touching it).
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