Wooly Bear
Pyrrharctia isabella fam. Erebidae (Hodges#8129)
Host plant(s): Found wandering
Date(s) and location(s): 08 November, 2025 – Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles County, MO
Notes: Perhaps the most widely known caterpillar by the general public, the wooly bear is known as the Isabella tiger moth in its adult form. The caterpillars are often found crossing paths and roads during autumn, for reasons not fully understood. This species is highly polyphagous, eating a variety of trees, forbs and grasses. I chose some season-appropriate plants (Callicarpa americana & Euonymus americanus) from the backyard to photograph this caterpillar exploring.
A Thousand Acres of Silphiums 