A Valentine's Day Caterpillar

Isabella Moth Caterpillar - Valentine's Day in Wisconsin

It's hard to believe the temperature was -35º F just last week.

We've had two near record-setting warm days in a row! 40-degrees F.   The snow piled up along the roadside is melting and the County Roads are wet and covered with wet sand.  The local meteorologists say it's a temporary tease.  Winter will return by the end of the week.

Today was the first day this year that I spotted insects outdoors:   a fly on my car windshield ...and a Woolly Bear caterpillar crossing Rustic Road 107.   (Yes, I brake for caterpillars).  I hopped out of the Prius, snapped a photo and gave the little insect an assisted road crossing. 

How does this caterpillar survive the cold?  Woolly Bears have a natural anti-freeze (glycerol) in their "blood."

What is it doing out and about in a February thaw?

It could have been disturbed by the snow plow that pushed the white stuff away from the shoulders.
It could have been out enjoying the sunny, warm weather.
It could have been hungry or thursty.

Whatever the reason - this was the earliest I've seen a Woolly Bear out and about.

Why do Caterpillars Cross the Road?

There's an old saying - caterpillars crossing the road is a sign that fall is here.  Despite record-setting temperatures (81-degrees), I'm seeing caterpillars on the road everywhere.

Caterpillars crossing the road.  Who are they?  Where are they going?

Most of them are Isabella Tiger Moth caterpillars, aka Woolly Bear caterpillars.  There were so many today, I stopped counting - approximately 1 every 100 yards along County Road M in Durand.  They overwinter as caterpillars, so it may be that they're heading to a better place for hibernating.  We stopped and watched a half dozen - just to see how they handled the road crossing.

When cars zoomed by (and didn't squish them) the woolly bears stopped and curled up (would that this defense could protect them from vehicles).   Tiny caterpillars v. SUVs and pickups.

Some caterpillars headed east.  Some went west.  And one couldn't seem to make up its mind, heading back and forth, then up and down the road.

One seemed larger and all black.  I stopped again for a closer look.  I didn't have a clue what it was until I picked it up and it went into its defense curl... the red skin was the give away - a Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar.   It's about 2" long (half an inch longer than the woolly bear).

 

Further down the road I stopped for what looked like an orange woolly bear...

Turns out this one's called a Yellow Bear, or Virginian Tiger Moth caterpillar.  Its color varies from blonde to very dark, almost black.

A hundred yards down the road - there's another one... much smaller and scurrying much faster.  I'd have thought this one would be easy to identify... but I'm stumped.  So I went to www.bugguide.net and uplinked it.  Turns out it's a Phyllira Tiger Moth a species of special concern in Wisconsin.

Back to the original question:  why do these caterpillars cross the road?

My husband is convinced it has something to do with the "heat."  I think it has nothing to do with the road - they're just looking for that perfect place to hibernate and the road is in their way.

The Woolly Bear and the Newscaster

I woke up early this morning to our first serious snow of this winter season.

I turned on the TV to get the forecast (up to 2" maybe, temps in the mid-20s) and an unexpected report on what the woolly bear caterpillars predict for the upcoming season.

Woolly Bear Caterpillar in September

The newscaster had in her hands the breaking news report direct from the Farmer's Almanac:  "the predominance of orange on this two-toned insect forecasts a mild winter..." That was followed by some bantering back and forth with the morning weather anchor. 

I had to laugh (and send an email to the newscaster).

Fact:  The amount of orange is actually an indicator of how mild the weather has been this November.  (I was surprised to spot a woolly bear this week - December 1st.  It was out and about, crossing the trail, soaking up the last heat of the fall.)

Woolly Bears over winter as caterpillars, and the "older" the caterpillar, the more orange. 

Curious about the details of the breaking report, I googled the Farmer's Almanac website and was surprised to see their story - and the image they used - a spotted tussock moth.  

I went back to the "google" report and noticed a link to a "woollybear festival" in Vermillion, Ohio.  I couldn't resist.  One click and I was there...  Take a look.