Isabella Tiger Moth Caterpillar (Woolly Bear)

Natural Habitat

Found across North America in gardens, meadows, and pastures; often seen on roads and sidewalks in the fall.

Diet & Feeding

Generalist herbivore; feeds on a wide variety of plants including grasses, clover, dandelions, birches, and sunflowers.

Behavior Patterns

Known for wandering in search of overwintering sites during autumn. They hibernate in their larval state under leaf litter or logs, even surviving freezing temperatures by producing a natural cryoprotectant.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans and ecosystems. Folklore suggests the width of their orange band predicts winter severity, though this is scientifically inaccurate. Their bristly hairs can cause minor skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Identified on: 2/19/2026