Isabella tiger moth

insect

Also known as: Pyrrharctia isabella

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

The Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) is a species of tiger moth known for its distinctive larva, the banded woolly bear. This caterpillar is characterized by its brown middle section and black bands at both ends.12

Tiger moths belong to the subfamily Arctiinae and are known for their furry larvae, called woolly bears. Many adult tiger moths have thick, furry bodies and wings that can be plain white or feature dark patterns with white, orange, or green markings. Some species display bright warning colors, indicating they are distasteful to predators.2

A common superstition suggests that the width of the black bands on the banded woolly bear caterpillar can predict the severity of the upcoming winter; narrower black bands supposedly indicate milder weather.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

tiger moth
Major genera and species
A typical arctiid, the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), emerges in spring and attains a wingspan of 37 to 50 mm (1.5 to 2 inches). Black spots mark its abdomen and yellow wings. The larva, known as the banded woolly bear, is brown in the middle and black at…
Read More
A typical arctiid, the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), emerges in spring and attains a wingspan of 37 to 50 mm (1.5 to 2 inches). Black spots mark its abdomen and yellow wings. The larva, known as the banded woolly bear, is brown in the middle and black at…
Read More