Woolly bear

Woolly bear is a common name given to the larvae of a variety of different insects. The name usually indicates that the body of the larvae is covered in dense (usually urticating) hairs.

The name is commonly given to larvae of moths in the family Arctiidae. Moths in this family include the tiger moths and ermine moths.

Another insect given the name woolly bear is the larvae of the carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci). Adult beetles eat pollen and nectar but the larvae can cause damage to woollens.

A photograph of the larvae of the carpet beetle, Anthrenus verbasci, which is commonly known as a woolly bear.
Photograph by André Karwath licensed under Creative Commons.

Other names for (or types of) Woolly bear include:

• Woolly worm

Related terms

• Caterpillar
• Coleoptera
• Dermestidae
• Larva
• Lepidoptera
• Urticating hairs

Related pages on this web site

• Beetles - Order Coleoptera
• Butterflies and Moths - Order Lepidoptera
• Caterpillar caresheet

See other words beginning with W