Afternoon Snack

Caterpillars of the Arctiidae family are often called woolly bears due to the dense coat of hairs (setae) adorning the body. They come in a variety of different, striking colour patterns and are often found in the fall when looking for a sheltered spot, (under a rock, fallen log, etc.) to hibernate as caterpillars.

This woolly bear was spotted in the garden getting an afternoon snack. Once 'our' little bear reaches adult hood, he will transform into a Virginian Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica). Adults are white with long-hairy backs and generally one small black spot.