Bearing Good News

Day 339: Woolly Bears (the caterpillar of the Isabella Tiger Moth) used to be very common here, so much so that I might have to stop every ten feet or so to carry one to safety if I was out walking along the road. I won't blame cars entirely, but these endearing little creatures have become increasingly hard to find over the last two decades or so, and now I seldom see them even when I'm looking for them. Today, I was delightfully surprised to see one investigating my milkweed plants. The milkweed bloomed but did not set seed. I had been hoping for pods, but if the plants serve instead as a snack for Woolly Bears, that's even better. It did my heart good to see this little fellow. I hope he enjoys his meal and gives a good review to all his friends.

Must Be Tasty

Day 358: I went out for a walk close to home today, and as is my usual wont, whenever I spotted a Woolly Bear caterpillar on the road trying to make its way to safety, I gave it an assist. A lot had already fallen to that most mindless predator, the automobile, and it made me sad to walk past their dessicated remains. However, there were still enough live specimens to ensure the continuation of the species into next year. Oddly, I don't think I've ever seen the adult moth, or have not recognized it if I did.

What do Woolly Bears eat? According to my references, they'll sample just about any forb (herbaceous plant). This team of three were enjoying a Crepis (hawksbeard) of some sort, dining only inches from the edge of the pavement. Hunkered down and not clearly visible to drivers, I could sympathize with their plight as cars passed uncomfortably close, but I left them to dine in leisure.

Goin' Hell-Bent-For-Leather

Day 44: Mark this as the one-and-only Woolly Bear I've seen this year, and the poor little guy was goin' hell-bent-for-leather, trying to reach the grass at the side of a bike path. Has it been that until very recently, we didn't have the requisite cold to kick these caterpillars into winter mode? Usually, I see them all along the road when I'm walking, a circumstance which slows me down considerably as I move each one to safety. It doesn't seem likely that I could have missed them, not when they are normally abundant.