The woolly bear caterpillar (the larval stage of the Isabella tiger moth) is often said to predict the severity of the coming winter based on the width of its brown band: • Wide brown band → A milder winter ahead. • Narrow brown band (more black at the ends) → A harsher, colder winter. This belief comes from American folklore and has been around since the 1800s. In reality, scientists have found that the band size is more related to the caterpillar’s age, growth stage, and past weather condition