How to Raise Woolly Bear Caterpillars

Your child has come in from the garden with his newly found pet -- a woolly bear caterpillar -- and you can't coax him to release it back into the wild. So you will have to take the responsibility to make sure it is raised into an Isobella tiger moth.



A woolly bear caterpillar can come in three colors -- red, orange or brown -- and they all have two black stripes, one at either end of their bodies. This caterpillar is very easy to care for but once it turns into a moth, it is time to let it go.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic container
  • Needle, scissors or small screwdriver
  • Soil
  • Leaves
  • Plants
  • Water
  • Old window screens
  • Plastic cup
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Find a flat plastic container with a lid to keep the woolly bear caterpillar from escaping. An old plastic container will do or even an old plastic beaker.

    • 2

      Pierce a series of small air holes in to the lid to ensure that your woolly bear caterpillar has a well-ventilated home. Use a sharp piercing object to bore the hole, such as a thick needle, sharp end of a pair of scissors or small screwdriver.

    • 3

      Get your child to collect some soil from the garden. Ask her to fill half of the container with soil, so that the caterpillar is free to burrow as it would in the wild.

    • 4

      Ask your child to find some leaves and plants, such as dandelions or weeds, for the woolly bear caterpillar to eat. Break up a leaf or a plant into smaller pieces to make it easier for the caterpillar to nibble on. Ensure that your caterpillar has fresh food daily.

    • 5

      Water the soil so that the caterpillar can take in moisture. Do this at least once every two weeks but do not overwater the soil, because the caterpillar only needs a little water.

    • 6

      Check for signs that the caterpillar is nearing the pupation stage. Noticing that your caterpillar has become more slow-moving is the cue that it will soon start changing.

    • 7

      Move the container to a cool shady place, such as a garage or basement, so that the caterpillar can start to pupate and embark on its next journey of metamorphosis.

    • 8

      Make a cylindrical cage out of old window screens, about 8 to 10 inches high and wide enough for a cup to fit easily inside, for your pupating woolly bear caterpillar. Transfer your woolly bear caterpillar into a plastic cup, along with some soil. Place the cup inside the cage. Place a plastic lid loosely on top of the cylindrical cage to still contain the caterpillar. (The moth will be able to push the lid off and fly away free.)