June bugs, mosquitos, the occasional (heart-stopping) brown recluse: these are just some insects that reside in Houston – for better or worse – among us. Recently, it seems there’s been an influx of fuzzy black caterpillars around town.
Visually somewhere in between a rogue scrunchy and the Eye of Sauron, these furry little bugs have been cropping up around Houston scooting about backyards, gardens, and sidewalks.
What are these hairy little creatures? Are they poisonous, are they bad for your garden? Basically: what’s their deal? They’re called Woollybears and here’s all you need to know about them below.
What is a Woollybear?
A Woollybear is the hairy, setae-covered caterpillar form of a type of tiger moth . The curious little insect, also known as. a woolly worm, can be found throughout Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Typically, Woollybears emerge more so in the fall, wherein the bugs can be seen inching about in searching for places to overwinter. Over the course of four life stages, Woollybears live up to about six months.
Can Woollybears predict the weather?
Surrounding folklore around Woollybears suggest that the insects are indicators of the severity of winter – the blacker the bug: the more severe the winter. This is however, false, as the Woollybears’ bands correspond to its species, age, and how long it’s been feeding.
Are the fuzzy black caterpillars in Houston poisonous?
Despite its prickly appearance, Woollybears are not poisonous nor will they sting you.
What effect do Woollybears have on the environment?
Woollybears do feed on foliage. The larger the larvae, the more you’ll notice its effect on your vegetable garden. Once the Woollybears change into moths however, they become effective pollinators in the same way of bees and butterflies.
What should I do with one when I see it?
As stated Woollybears are not poisonous, and are safe to handle. That said, if you’re not 100% sure what the caterpillar is, it’s best to play it safe and leave it alone.