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Isabella Moth (caterpillar)

Pyrrharctia isabella

Published on Project Noah
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40.5978, -74.3806

Field Notes

Description:

"The Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) can be found in many cold regions, including the Arctic. The banded Woolly Bear larva emerges from the egg in the fall and overwinters in its caterpillar form, when it literally freezes solid. First its heart stops beating, then its gut freezes, then its blood, followed by the rest of the body. It survives being frozen by producing a cryoprotectant in its tissues. In the spring it thaws out and emerges to pupate. Once it emerges from its pupa as a moth it has only days to find a mate."

"This species is a generalist feeder—it feeds on many different species of plants, especially herbs and forbs."

-Wikipedia

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (1)

Hi there. Since you know the ID of your caterpillar, please go ahead and fill out the scientific name and other info about the species/spotting. Adding the scientific name enters the spotting into the system and it will come off the unidentified list. Thanks!

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