woolly bear

noun

: any of various rather large very hairy moth caterpillars

especially : one of a tiger moth

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The woolly bear caterpillar, like its name, is covered in a spiky looking fuzz. —

Kate Furby, Scientific American, 3 Mar. 2023 This legend has gained so much notoriety that some Midwestern towns host annual woolly bear festivals. —

Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2021 The festival in Vermilion, Ohio features a parade and woolly bear races. —

Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2021 Sadly, the woolly bear isn’t any more reliable than Punxsutawney Phil. —

Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2021 The adult form of the woolly bear caterpillar, the Isabella tiger moth, does not eat and lives only for about one week. —

Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2021 The woolly bear’s stiff hairs are an important defense against predators such as yellow jackets and other wasps. —

Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2021 Although many people notice woolly bear caterpillars because of their furry appearance, tiger moths are fairly plain looking and are one of the species seen fluttering around porch lights in the summer. —

Lilly St. Angelo, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Sep. 2021 Stories about the woolly bear's ability to drop some prophetic winter knowledge mostly seem to center on the caterpillars' stripes, as noted above from the National Weather Service. —

Lilly St. Angelo, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Sep. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'woolly bear.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.