Woolly bear Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun caterpillar of numerous moths characterized by a dense coat of woolly hairs; feed on plants and some are destructive pests
    woolly bear caterpillar.

WordNet

Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.), the hairy larva of several species of bombycid moths. The most common species in the United States are the salt-marsh caterpillar (see under Salt), the black and red woolly bear, or larva of the Isabella moth (see Illust., under Isabella Moth), and the yellow woolly bear, or larva of the American ermine moth (Spilosoma Virginica).

Webster 1913