I am always so thrilled to bits when, on the very rare occasion, I come across one of these gorgeous caterpillars. My youngest daughter has always loved these colourful caterpillars, too, so they always remind me of her.

They grow to about 4 cm long. The first caterpillars are out by early August and last well into September. This species over-winters as pupae and, in Alberta, the very drab adults are flying in June and July. These Woolly Bear caterpillars turn into Spotted Tussock Moths.