Is this a Wooly Bear? - Arctia virginalis - BugGuide.Net

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Photo#52221

Copyright © 2006 Heather Zeleny

Is this a Wooly Bear? - Arctia virginalis

Creswell, Lane County, Oregon, USA
May 13, 2006
Size: 3cm

This caterpillar was found in a pasture in Creswell, Oregon in the Willamette Valley. I thought it was a Wooly Bear, but the colors are reversed and it has those striking white fibers. What is it?

Contributed by Heather Zeleny on 14 May, 2006 - 11:39am
Last updated 14 May, 2006 - 5:17pm

It looks like mine

I submitted a very similar one yesterday also from Oregon,

and it hasn't been identified yet.

… Beatriz Moisset, 14 May, 2006 - 5:11pm

Just posted a comment to that effect

on yours!

… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 14 May, 2006 - 5:14pm

ID

I think it is the caterpillar of Platyprepia virginalis in the Arctiidae family. It's in the same family as the wooly bear.

… John Davis, 14 May, 2006 - 11:45am

Excellent - a new one for the guide - we only have adults

Comparison image found here for confirmation - seems to fit. Thanks John, for the ID.

Heather, this can be moved to the guide - see under Help if you'd like to learn how. The image page is here. Welcome to BugGuide, and thanks for your contribution!

BTW, I feel that this ought to be called the Shaggy Bear caterpillar!

… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 14 May, 2006 - 11:57am

submitted to the guide

Thanks to you both, John and Hannah! What a quick response!

… Heather Zeleny, 14 May, 2006 - 12:45pm

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