Question
My daughter has found one of these black fuzzy caterpillars and has kept him in a jar. It went to the top of the jar and has spun a web around itself and appears to be going into its next stage of life. How long do you think its going to take before it turns into a moth? We are planning on turning it loose when it does change but we just wan a good idea as to how long it takes.

Answer
Jon,

It depends on the species. Some species spend the winter as larvae, some as pupae, others as adults. The common woolly bear spends the winter as a larva. Some pupae require a cold period before they will emerge as adults, while others do not. So, I think you'll just have to hold this one until it emerges. If it fully pupates you may want to put it in the refrigerator for a few days to give it a cold period in case it needs one.

Jack DeAngelis, PhD
Extension Entomologist (ret.)
author Living with Bugs: http://www.livingwithbus.com/bug_book.html