Other Common Names
Major Datana (adult)
Azalea Caterpillar (larva)
Identification
Adult: forewing orangish-brown, darker brown toward costa (not tawny to reddish-brown, as in Drexel's Datana); outer margin not wavy; hindwing solid orangish-brown
[adapted from description by Charles Covell]
Larva: first instars are yellow with seven red longitudinal stripes and a black head. As the larva matures it becomes highly colored. Mature larvae are predominately black with a red last segment and eight broken yellow (occasionally white) lengthwise stripes. The head and legs are bright red.
[adapted from description by G.W. Dekle and Thomas Fasulo, U. of Florida]
Range
southeastern United States from Maryland to Florida, west to Arkansas and Kansas
Season
adults fly from June to August
larvae present July to October
Food
larvae feed mainly on leaves of azalea (
Rhododendron spp.) but have also been recorded on apple, blueberry, Red Oak, and
Bog Rosemary (
Andromeda polifoloa)
Life Cycle
female lays masses of 80-100 eggs on underside of leaf in late spring or early summer; first instar larvae feed gregariously, skeletonizing leaves of hostplant; older larvae eat entire leaves; usually one generation per year, with partial second generation in the south; overwinters as a pupa in a cell in the soil
Remarks
Covell's Guide indicates a range of "Nova Scotia to Florida..." but
Datana major is not listed at
Moths of Canada, and the U. of Florida reference below gives Maryland as the northern limit of distribution.
Internet References
live adult and larva images by various photographers, plus common name reference [Azalea Caterpillar Moth] (Moth Photographers Group)
pinned adult image (Titian Peale Butterfly and Moth Collection, Academy of Natural Sciences)
live larvae image by Arnold Drooz (USDA Forest Service, forestryimages.org)
live larva image (James Adams, Dalton State College, Georgia)
illustrated overview of biology, distribution, plus common name reference [Azalea Caterpillar] (G.W. Dekle and Thomas Fasulo, U. of Florida)
overview including distribution, foodplants, biology, feeding damage (Auburn U., Alabama)
common name reference [Major Datana] (Great Smoky Mountains National Park Lepidoptera Checklist)
