Meet the Isabella Tiger Moth

The Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) is more commonly known for its larval form, the Woolly Bear. They are black and orange and snack for most of the summer. In the fall, the caterpillar looks for shelter in leaf piles, plant debris, and wood piles. The shelter that the woolly bear finds will be their home for the winter. It is an old folktale that the woolly bears can forecast the severity of the upcoming winter by the width of the brown bands on their body but this is not true. The woolly bears can however produce a very interesting antifreeze chemical called cryoprotectant that helps them retain body temperature in very cold temperatures. This actually prevents their bodies from freezing in the winter. When they thaw in warmer temperatures in the spring, they are ready to cocoon and live out their life as an Isabella Tiger Moth. To find out more about the Isabella tiger moth and other moth species found in Maryland, visit https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/wildlife/insects/butterflies/html/butterflies.html

This edition of Wildlife Wednesday created by Zander Hine, ACWA Student Board Member

Read about more wildlife in our watersheds from this series on our ACWA Blog.