Banded Woolly Bear

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

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

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.

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.