MapMan
11-03-2008, 06:44 AM
Forecasting winter severity (from eNature.com):
Familiar since Colonial times as the "Woolly Bear," the caterpillar is often seen crossing roads and paths on warm days in late fall. According to superstition, the amount of black in the caterpillar's bristle coating forecasts the severity of the coming winter. Actually, the coloration indicates how near the caterpillar is to full growth before autumn weather stimulates it to seek a winter shelter.
I've noticed that they have more amounts of black bristles in them than orange bristles this winter. A long, cold winter perhaps?
MM
Familiar since Colonial times as the "Woolly Bear," the caterpillar is often seen crossing roads and paths on warm days in late fall. According to superstition, the amount of black in the caterpillar's bristle coating forecasts the severity of the coming winter. Actually, the coloration indicates how near the caterpillar is to full growth before autumn weather stimulates it to seek a winter shelter.
I've noticed that they have more amounts of black bristles in them than orange bristles this winter. A long, cold winter perhaps?
MM