The woolly bear caterpillar (the larval stage of the Isabella tiger moth) is often said to predict the severity of the coming winter based on the width of its brown band: • Wide brown band → A milder winter ahead. • Narrow brown band (more black at the ends) → A harsher, colder winter. This belief comes from American folklore and has been around since the 1800s. In reality, scientists have found that the band size is more related to the caterpillar’s age, growth stage, and past weather condition

Woolly Worm racing today! Festival returns Sunday 9-4 (and less crowded!) Winner: Maribel Murphy from Indiana With a winning worm named Billy! Our 2025 Woolly Worm Festival Champion and winner of $1,000! Billy wriggled his way to victory and earned the honor of predicting this winter's weather. Each of his 13 stripes represents one week of winter, and here’s what it tells us for the winter ahead: Billy’s 2025 Woolly Forecast Black: Below-average temps with snow Amber/Dark Brown: Below-average te

🍃3 Weather Myths Old Timers Still Believe Ever heard someone swear by woolly worms or persimmon seeds to predict winter? Here’s why those old-time sayings don’t hold up. Share this with someone who still believes the lore. #WeatherMyths #GetWildWithMe #NatureRelianceSchool #SurvivalSkills #Bushcraft #OutdoorTips #FallWeather | Nature Reliance School

The Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia Isabella) aka “woollybear” is native to North America and can be found throughout the US into Southern Canada. They have two generations per year and spend the winter frozen solid as caterpillars. They produce a substance called cryoprotectant that prevents the inside of their cells from freezing, allowing them to survive the winter and thaw out in the spring. They have a very generalist diet and feed on a wide variety of herbaceous plants and tree foliage bu