Wooly caterpillars as weather forecasters

[TDolce]

As a child, I had heard a saying which associated the color of the wooly caterpillars in the fall with the severity of the winter to come. It had always amused me, but I can't recall it. Has anyone else heard of this? Is it dark caterpillars mean a harsh winter or the light caterpillars mean a harsh winter? And are there any scientific grounds to the association?

 

[Pat]

I don't know what the saying is about seeing these wolly bear caterpillers and what type of winter we are in store for. I saw one today also and thought it was a little early in the year but since we have not had a normal summer who knows what the winter will bring.