Can This Insect Really Predict Winter Weather Severity in Iowa?

Much folklore, sometimes called old wives tales, surrounds the weather and predicting what will happen, not just year after year but daily.  Supposed indicators about a harsh or mild winter like acorns or pinecones being a certain size say your winter will be better or worse.

Weather Folklore by Name or Description

Here's a new one for me, according to Successful Farmer, if mole holes are deeper than 2.5 feet, it means a harsh winter is coming.  Or, maybe you'd like your folklore a bit more mythical because that comes straight out of Bolivia. Look out for Acalica, the mythical weather fairies that are said to control weather, while living in caves and are rarely seen.

Uh, that could also describe some of us.  We have a thermostat, to control the weather, don't allow light in with blackout curtains, like living in a cave, and don't like to be seen, because we don't like to be seen.  So, the Acalica is alive and well in many of us.

What about the Farmer's Almanac?

If I have to hear another person say, well, the Farmer's Almanac isn't this or that, my knowledge and blah, blah, blah. The Farmer's Almanac keeps selling and people look to it every year so there's something there. Is that something, hocus pocus? Don't know.

They even have two versions of the Almanac just in case one doesn't fit your flow.  The Old Farmers' Almanac is for those who are into the old farmers' way and for those who are all about the progressive farmer there is The Farmers' Almanac.

A Bug By Another Name

This bit of folklore comes to the Midwest in many forms.  Depending on where you're located is what you'll know it by.  Some call it the woolly bear caterpillar (Pyrrharctia Isabella), woolly worm, fuzzy bear, or Hedgehog caterpillar as well as many other names.  This little bugger has been predicting Iowa winters since colonial times so says The National Weather Service.

How Does the Woolly Whatever it's Called Predict Weather?

If you believe the folklore here are the ways the Woolly Worm can predict the weather

Black Bands
Got a caterpillar dressed in all black? That little fashionista might be hinting at a winter so harsh it could make a polar bear shiver! The longer those black bands, the more snow shovels you’ll need!

Orange Bands
Now, if you spot a caterpillar rocking a nice wide orange band in the middle, it’s gonna be mild this year! Think of it as a cozy sweater, not a parka!

Head or Tail
Pay attention to the head and tail! A dark head means winter’s starting off like a grumpy bear waking from hibernation—cold and cranky. But if the tail is dark, goodbye, snow!

Direction of Travel
If your caterpillar is booking it south, it’s clearly trying to dodge the cold. But if it’s heading north, it might just be looking for a winter wonderland.

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Fuzziness
Finally, let’s talk fuzz! An extra fuzzy caterpillar is a sign of a cold winter ahead! But a sleek, less fuzzy caterpillar? That’s the embodiment of a “no worries” winter!

So next time you see a caterpillar, just remember: it’s not just a bug; it’s your very own weather forecaster!

Weather predicting Can Make you Hungry

So, does the Woolly Bear caterpillar actually predict the weather in Iowa? Well, it turns out that the folklore might be a bit off! The National Weather Service has debunked those claims.

They say that the caterpillar’s coloring isn’t really about forecasting winter—it’s more about how long it’s been munching on leaves, its age, and what species it is. So while it’s fun to think of them as little weather prophets, they’re really just focusing on their own caterpillar business! A Caterpillar can dream of meeting David Hasselhoff!