woolly bear

noun

1. the caterpillar of any of several moths, as a tiger moth, having a dense coat of woolly hairs.

woolly bear

noun

1. the caterpillar of any of various tiger moths, esp Arctia caja of Europe and Isia isabella of North America, having a dense covering of soft hairs

Word History and Origins

Origin of woolly bear¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

While there are hundreds of woolly-looking species in Erebidae family, the most common and well-recognized woolly bear caterpillar is Pyrrharctia isabella, or the larval form of the Isabella tiger moth, says Marshall.

From National Geographic

According to the legend, the more black setae—long prickly hairs—found on a woolly bear, the harsher the coming winter will be.

From National Geographic

Some scientists have actually studied all of this and failed to find any relationship between woolly bear prickle patterns and the severity of oncoming weather—although Marshall cautions that most of this work has been more tongue-in-cheek than serious.

From National Geographic

But woolly bear colors can tell you other things.

From National Geographic

What’s more, there are some connections between a woolly bear’s appearance and the climate.

From National Geographic