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Banded Woolly Bear
Pyrrharctia isabella
41.4635, -73.255
Field Notes
Description:
Fuzzy, banded caterpillar with black anterior and posterior ends, and reddish brown in the center. The colors change as they molt to successive instars though, and they become more reddish brown with age. The caterpillar in the first picture had a lot of dew on its setae, which made it look like it had spiked its setae with hair gel.
Habitat:
Spotted in a meadow and throughout a deciduous forest. I spotted 25 woolly bears during a 1.5 hour hike!
Notes:
The woolly bear's setae are not urticating, so they do not usually cause irritation or injury from being handled. However, the larvae should not be handled because their sharp setae may cause dermatitis in some susceptible people.
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedOctober 4, 2017
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