Fact Sheet

Smith, B.*¹,
¹ Horticulture Extension Agent, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634

The purpose of the blog "Woolly Worms" is to give the reader information on the legend of the wooly worm caterpillar. Many people believe that this fascinating caterpillar's coloration can predict whether the winter weather will be mild or cold. An explanation is given as to how this interesting folklore began along with what is thought to actually cause the woolly worm's variation in color. The caterpillar's thirteen body segments represent the thirteen weeks of winter. The Home and Garden Information Center website featured this blog on Oct. 24, 2019, and it received 1072 page views along with 1000 unique views. It was then shared on the Making It Grow Facebook page and received 3714 views and was shared 47 times by readers on Facebook.

https://hgic.clemson.edu/the-legend-of-the-woolly-worm/