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Project Noah Nature School
Pyrrharctia isabella
Densely coated with black hairs of equal length with a girdle of the same length setae in red or orange. The head is small and black.
The Isabella Tiger Moth, (Pyrrharctia isabella, wingspan 4.0 - 5.5 cm) ranges throughout the entire North American continent.
Observed grazing on the foliage. Woolly bear or fuzzy bear caterpillars are often found in the fall after they have left their foodplants in search of a dark and sheltered spot where they can hibernate as larvae for the winter. With springtime warmth, the woolly bear caterpillars again become active, feeding for a brief time and then fashioning cocoons out of silk and body hairs. Tiger moths usually emerge from cocoons two to three weeks later. Two defensive postures are assumed when the larva is disturbed: 1) the woolly bear caterpillar curls up into a ball, or 2) the woolly bear caterpillar "runs" away as fast as it can.
Spotted on Sep 16, 2012
Submitted on Sep 17, 2012
