woolly bear myth

I remember exploring the woods as a child. I would disappear, much to the dismay of my mother, often for an entire day. There was something very comforting about the woods, so much so I often found a tree and would sit against it and fall asleep, waking hours later to realize I might be missing my dinner!

I used to always catch things, fire-flies, bull frogs, and the like. I never feared anything, with the exception of the time a cicada pushed me out of a tree, but that's a whole different story! One of the things I loved was the great "Month of the caterpillar!" Every fall there would be hundreds of "Woolly Bear Caterpillars" (Pyrrharctia issabella) making their way to prepare for winter. I remember my neighbor, an old farmer who always had a story for everything, told me the woolly bear could for tell the coming winter. The thicker the brown band in the center, the milder the winter would be, and if it was all black, oh boy, you better be ready for the worst winter of all time. All this while I giggled as the woolly bear caterpillar would tickle the back of my arm as it made its way around. The sense of touch, like all senses, are so sensitive as a child, I wonder why we neglect them now.

Woolly Bear Larvae

Well as I got older I had to 'unlearn' quite a bit, and my critical thinking took over. Just last week, I saw an all black Woolly bear, the sign of the apocalyptic winter to come, and shortly thereafter, near by, on the same day, an all brown woolly bear, a sure sign of a snow-less winter. As it turns out they all differ in color, even when they emerge from the same clutch. As a famous "Dan-Look-alike" would say (Adam Savage from Myth Buster's,) "BUSTED!"

Beautiful Adult "Woolly Bear" aka "Tiger Moth"

To learn more about this interesting species please visit here.

Though the myth is busted, it is interesting how nature can invoke such imaginative ideas. It is not hard to fathom all the mythology and fairy tales from our childhood when we look around at the majestic wonders of nature. I hope you can get outside this beautiful week and explore your imagination, even if it is as simple as picking out shapes in the clouds! Explore every sense outdoors, touch, sound, smell, taste, and sight...We all have a little child residual packed away somewhere within. Have a great week!