What Might This Become? (1 Viewer)

T

Tammie

Well-known member

• Sep 6, 2003

• #1

Good Morning Forum!

I found this large caterpillar (large to me anyway, about 2.5" long) on the door frame of my garage this morning. I know the picture isn't the best as it's a dark brown fuzzy caterpillar on a dark brown door frame. Does anyone know what this guy will turn into in the future? Can caterpillars survive winter up here? We normally get weeks' worth of -30 and -40°C temperatures come December and January.
I'm really getting curious about these critters... I suppose I should start looking at books about them!
Any help would be appreciated.

 

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B

Beverlybaynes

Mod Squad

• Sep 6, 2003

• #2

I'm no help for a specific answer, Tammie -- but I'm thinking of the old wives' tale.....

The darker the wooly worm, the harder the winter????

Gawd, I HOPE not!

 

T

Tammie

Well-known member

• Sep 6, 2003

• #3

Oh jeez Beverly, I hope you're wrong about that! I've seen some really big ones this year and lots of them too!!
Now I'm scared!.....

 

Charles Harper

Régisseur

• Sep 7, 2003

• #4

I presume he is supposed to survive the winter, and will build a cocoon and pupate in order to do so. Don't know what it is, just a big 'woolybear'.

 

Gill Osborne

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2003

• #5

Woolly Bears, in the UK are the caterpillars of the Garden Tiger Moth ( Arctia caja), don't know if you have the same species, or similar, in Canada?
Found a website to show you the moth I mean...

www.ukmoths.force9.co.uk

Then click onto 'Beginners Top 20' - moth is no. 13 on list.

 

T

Tammie

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2003

• #6

THanks Gill and Charles, for your input. Gill, I've never seen that particular type of moth around here before but that doesn't mean it isn't here, by any stretch! It's very beautiful and I would love to see it. The caterpillar is still in the same spot this morning. I'm hoping it will stay there for the winter but it seems a little early for that yet. You never know though... it could snow here any day now!