Welcome to what some call the 'second' summer here in Minnesota. If you aren't a fan of the warm July-like weather, give it a few days and we will be entering into what some call 'actual fall'. With the changing seasons, I'm already starting to see those posts on social media claiming a caterpillar can tell us what to expect this winter in terms of weather. I hate to burst your bubble, but it's an old wives' tale. But here's how this little crawler came to be our Midwest version of Punxsutawney Phil.

What kind of caterpillar can predict the weather?

The legend states that a wooly bear caterpillar can predict what kind of weather we will see in the winter months based on how much of a brown stripe we see going down the caterpillar's body. They say the more black on the caterpillar you see, it means a worse winter in terms of temps, while more brown means milder temps, but more precipitation, like snow.

What do the 'stripes' mean according to their placement on the caterpillar's body?

Depending on where the brown lands on the bug, the longer portion of black hair on the bug 'tells' us where in the winter months we will see the worst of the weather. IE the longest portion of black is at the head, vs the tail, we would see worse/colder weather in late November through December.

What about the thickness of the coat?

Generally, it was thought the thicker the coat on the bug, the worse the winter would be. And then there is the part where you find them. They say if it's facing south, it's trying to 'escape' the winter, and if it's found facing north, winter won't be that bad.

So bugs really can't predict how bad winter will be?

No. It's just an old wives tale, that makes us feel better about the changing seasons, as much like the weather around here, if you wait five minutes you're sure to find another one of these wooly bear caterpillars crawling along, with maybe a better forecast for you.

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I'm not here to pass judgment if you choose to believe in the caterpillars, I read the Farmers Almanac.