2022 February 4

       Ron Flower writes that on Monday January 31 he saw three Banded Woolly Bear caterpillars, Pyrrharctia isabella, along the trail on the west side of Panama Flats.  We are used to seeing these caterpillars in October, when they are full-fed and looking for somewhere to spend the winter.  They spend the winter in the caterpillar stage and bestir themselves again in February/March, when they are looking for somewhere safe to spin a cocoon  and pupate inside.