What do you call those fat, fuzzy black-and-orange caterpillars, and what moth/butterfly do they become?

Question

If I remember right, it had black ends and an orange middle, or vice versa. Three stripes. Incredibly fuzzy. Seemed to have a population boom every several years.

Answer 1

Nah, that's the WOOLY BEAR caterpillar you are describing! Supposed to foretell the severity of winter and all.

http://www.coldspringschool.org/Mill/wooly.html

Turns into the Isabella Tiger Moth.

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry to much i wouldn't say it is dead at the moment because The length of time a caterpillar takes to go through metamorphosis depends on the species. Some take as little as two weeks, others take months. Look up the species in a field guide or on Google to find out more about the life cycle of specific species. I had a Tarantula that didn't move or eat for about 5 months it just hide in a little burrow and after the 5 month i was deciding whether to keep it or bury it and it moved, so i kept it. Always make sure the animal is dead before burying it or whatever you do with it, it may still be alive. A slightly better description of the caterpillar might help!! Has it got red rings on its joints or any other specific colouring or patterns?

Answer 3

western tent caterpillar
they turn into a moth