Wild Facts About The Angus’ Datana Moth Caterpillar
What Do Angus Datana Moth Caterpillars Look Like?
- Angus’ Datana Moth caterpillars grow to approximately 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) long
- Their bodies are:
- Long, cylindrical, and soft-bodied,
- Black, with multiple, thin, pale yellow to white stripes that run lengthwise down their bodies,
- They have:
- Black heads,
- Tufts of thin, long white hairs that grow from each body segment.
- The adult moths are light brown all over and very nondescript.
Where To Find Angus’ Datana Moth Caterpillars
- Angus’ Datana Moth caterpillars can be found in woodlands throughout the eastern United States, south to Florida and west to Texas (Wagner 2005).
- They feed on trees in the Walnut family (Juglandaceae), such as:
- Butternut (Juglans cinerea),
- Hickory trees (Carya spp.), and
- Black Walnut (Juglans nigra).
- Throughout the
- Early instars of Angus’ Datana Moth caterpillars feed from the underside of tree leaves and skeletonize the leaves (Oten, Jetton, and Coyle 2023, https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmad002).
- They seem to be active during the day (diurnal) and live in the landscape during the spring, summer, and fall, until temperatures cool.
Threats To Angus’ Datana Moth Caterpillars
Natural Predators
- While the body hairs (called setae) of the Angus’ Datana Moth caterpillar may deter some would-be predators, many different predators prey on this species, including:
- Insectivorous birds,
- Lizards.
- Bats prey on adult moths.
Other Threats
- Like all insects, Angus’ Datana Moth caterpillars struggle to overcome:
- Habitat loss,
- Insecticides used to minimize the damage caused to trees by herbivores like this species.
Scientific Classification
|
Kingdom |
Animalia (animals) |
|
Phylum |
Arthropoda (arthopods) |
|
Class |
Insecta (insects) |
|
Order |
Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) |
|
Family |
Notodontidae (prominent moths and processionary caterpillars) |
|
Genus |
Datana |
|
Species |
D. angusii |
Scientific Name |
Datana angusii |
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