Great Leopard Moth Caterpillar (Woolly Bear)

Natural Habitat

Found in woodlands, farmlands, gardens, and meadows throughout North America.

Diet & Feeding

Generalist herbivore; feeds on a wide variety of broadleaf plants including plantain, dandelion, violets, and honeysuckle.

Behavior Patterns

Mainly nocturnal; it overwinter in the larval stage and is often seen crawling across roads or pathways in the fall. When threatened, it curls into a tight ball, exposing its red or orange intersegmental rings.

Risks & Benefits

While they look intimidating, their bristles are not stinging; however, they can cause mild skin irritation for sensitive individuals. They play a role in the food web and pollinate as adults.

Identified on: 5/19/2026