MINIBEAST FOLKLORE

by Dianna K. Dunn, Executive Director

It is an age old folktale in the USA that local winter weather may be predicted by observing the width of the color band on some caterpillars. These caterpillars are black at both ends, with a reddish-brown band in the middle. In 1608 Edward Topsell, a naturalist, called them "Palmer" worms - so named after the "palmer", or wandering monk - because of their roving habits and ruggedness (they are seen so late in fall). He also mentioned, they were known as "beare worms." They have further been compared to bears in that they hibernate and have a similar walking gate. They have a dark hairy appearance, and curl up into a ball when touched. Today they are commonly referred to as "woolly bears". "Woolly bears" are caterpillars of moths and there are over 2,000 species of them.

As cold weather approaches the "woolly bears" hibernate, they are one of the few species of caterpillars known to do this. In spring they emerge very hungry! They feed for a short time and then build a cocoon made from hairs of their shed larval skins mixed with silk which they make from glands in their own bodies. After pupating they emerge from their cocoons as adult moths.

The common species picked for "weather forecasting" is the tiger moth, Isia isabella. The theory is that the narrower the reddish-brown band, the colder and longer will be the winter: the wider the band the milder the winter. The width of the band supposedly forecasts the "average" temperature for the entire winter, and has nothing to do with a cold spell or with an occasional storm such as the blizzard of 1888, which happened during a year the woolly bear predicted a mild winter. However, in spite of the occurrence of the greatest blizzard on record, for that century, the "average" temperature for that winter was indeed mild.

Although, the "woolly bears" are the most frequently recognized meteorologist in the insect kingdom there are many other folklore about minibeasts and weather. Take a look at the following sayings and see how many of these predictions you have heard. Maybe you even know of more...

In Kentucky, USA, it's said that: " When the gnats swarm, rain and warmer weather are believed to be coming".

Zuni Indian Sayings: "When the white butterfly comes, comes also the summer".  "When the white butterfly flies from the southwest, expect rain."

In western Pennsylvania, when the chrysalides are found suspended from the underside of rails and heavy branches, as if to seek a covering from rain, then extremely wet weather is predicted; if they are found on slender branches, then a spell of fair weather is predicted.

Any butterfly flying in one's face is a sign of immediate cold weather to some: others specify that a yellow butterfly flying in one's face indicates sufficient frost within ten days to turn the leaves the color of the butterfly.

Days are warm and skies are bright.

But when the flight ends near their home,

Stormy weather is sure to come."

American sayings:

• "When hornets build nests near the ground a harsh winter is expected."
• "Wasps building nests in exposed places indicate a dry season."
• "Stepping on an ant brings rain."
• "Seeing caterpillars late in the fall predicts a mild winter."
• "When spider web in air do fly, the spell will soon be very dry."
• "When tarantulas crawl by day, rain will surly come."
• "When scorpions crawl, expect dry weather."

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This educational resource was prepared by the Young Entomologists Society, 6907 West Grand River Ave., Lansing MI 48906-9131, phone/fax 517-886-0630, e-mail YESbugs@aol.com.  Support minibeast youth education - join Y.E.S. today!