Isabella Tiger Moth
Common NameIsabella Tiger Moth
Scientific NamePyrrharctia isabella
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyArctiinae
Wingspan (mm)55
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange-brown, pale yellow, black
HabitatWoodlands, fields, gardens, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeThroughout temperate North America, from southern Canada to Mexico
Host Plantsdandelion, plantain, sunflower, aster, clover, maple, birch, willow
Flight PeriodMay to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesFamous for its caterpillar, the 'woolly bear' or 'woolly worm,' which is densely covered in stiff bristles, typically black at both ends and reddish-brown in the middle. The caterpillar overwinters and pupates in spring.
Identification TipsThe adult moth has dull orange-brown forewings with subtle markings and paler hindwings. The most recognizable stage is its caterpillar, the woolly bear, with its distinctive black and reddish-brown bands.
Description
A medium-sized moth with dull orange-brown forewings marked with faint darker bands and small black spots, and paler hindwings with a few dark spots. The body is stout and furry, matching the forewing color, with a row of black spots on the abdomen.
