Lesson LXXII

The Isabella Tiger-Moth, or Woolly Bear

Leading thought—When we see the woolly bear hurrying along in the fall, it is hunting for some cozy place in which to pass the winter. It makes its cocoon of silk woven with its own hair. In May, it comes forth a yellowish moth with black dots on its wings.

Method—Have the children bring in woolly bears as they find them, place them in boxes or breeding jars which have grass or clover growing in them. The children can handle the caterpillars while they are studying them, and then they should be put back into the breeding jars and be set out of doors where they can have natural conditions; thus the entire history may be studied.

The Caterpillar

Observations—1. How can you tell the woolly bear from all other caterpillars? Are they all colored alike? How many segments of the body are black at the front end? How many are red? How many segments are black at the rear end of the body? How many segments does this make in all?

2. Look closely at the hairs of the woolly bear. Are they set separately or in rosettes? Are any of the hairs of the body longer than others or are they all even?

3. Can you see, just back of the head, the true legs with their little sharp claws? How many are there?

4. Can you see the fleshy legs along the sides of the body? How many are there of these?

5. Can you see the prop-leg, or the hindmost leg of all? Of what use to the caterpillar are these fleshy legs?

6. Describe the woolly bear’s head. How does it act when eating?

7. Can you see a small, bright yellow spot on each side of the segment just behind the head? What do you suppose this is? Can you see little openings along each side of all the segments of the body, except the second and third? What are they? Describe how the woolly bear breathes.

8. On what does the woolly bear feed? If you can find a little woolly bear, give it fresh grass to eat and see how it grows. Why does it shed its skin?

9. When the woolly bear is hurrying along, does it lift its head and the front end of its body now and then? Why does it do this? Do you think it can see far?

10. What does the woolly bear do when you try to pick it up? Do you find you can pick it up easily? Do you think that these stiff hairs protect woolly bear from its enemies? What are its enemies?

11. Where should the woolly bear be kept in winter to make it comfortable?

The Cocoon

1. When does the woolly bear make its cocoon?

2. Of what material is it made? How does the woolly bear get into its cocoon?

3. What happens to it inside the cocoon?

4. Cut open a cocoon and describe how woolly bear looks now.

The Moth

1. Where did the moth come from?

2. How did it come out of the cocoon? See if you can find the empty pupa case in the cocoon.

3. What is the color of the moth and how is it marked? Are the front and hind wings the same color?

4. What are the markings and colors of the body? Of the legs?

5. What do you think that the Mother Isabella will do, if you give her liberty?

The mute insect, fix’t upon the plant
On whose soft leaves it hangs, and from whose cup
Drains imperceptibly its nourishment,
Endear’d my wanderings.

—Wordsworth.

Before your sight,
Mounts on the breeze the butterfly, and soars,
Small creature as she is, from earth’s bright flowers
Into the dewy clouds.

—Wordsworth.