Probably Woolly Bear Cocoon

Subject: What’s this fuzzy guy?
Location: NE PA
December 6, 2015 10:42 pm
Hello! I found this guy inside an old deer skull in Northeast PA. Is this a wooly bear?
Signature: Erin

Woolly Bear Cocoon
Woolly Bear Cocoon

Dear Erin,
This is the cocoon of a moth that has incorporated the caterpillar hairs into the spinning of the cocoon.  A Woolly Bear in the subfamily Arctiinae is a very likely candidate.  Your individual looks very much like this Spotted Tussock Moth Cocoon from our archives.

Thank you! I put it outside in a container just in case it is alive and breaks out in the spring 🙂 how exciting!
Erin

Leave a Comment