Banded Woolly Bear

Natural Habitat

Fields, meadows, gardens, and roadsides across North America, from southern Canada to Mexico.

Diet & Feeding

Generalist herbivores that feed on a wide variety of plants including grasses, clover, dandelions, plantain, and nettles.

Behavior Patterns

They are known for their ability to survive freezing temperatures during winter by producing a natural cryoprotectant. They often curl into a tight ball when threatened. Folklore suggests the width of their stripes can predict winter severity, though this is scientifically unfounded.

Risks & Benefits

They are generally harmless to humans, though their stiff bristles may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals. They serve as a food source for birds and generalist predators, and the adult Isabella Tiger Moth is a minor pollinator.

Identified on: 3/12/2026