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Species Datana contracta - Contracted Datana - Hodges#7906

Possible Datana contracta Butterfly caterpillar - Datana contracta 7905 -  - Datana contracta Datana sp? - Datana contracta Caterpillar - Datana contracta Datana contracta Datana contracta or integerrima? - Datana contracta Datana contracta Datana contracta? - Datana contracta
Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily Noctuoidea (Owlet Moths and kin)
Family Notodontidae (Prominent Moths)
Subfamily Phalerinae
Genus Datana
Species contracta (Contracted Datana - Hodges#7906)
Hodges Number
7906
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Datana contracta Walker, 1855
Phylogenetic sequence #930037
Size
WS = 38-55mm (1)
Identification
Adult: FW reddish brown, with wide, conspicuous yellowish shading along lines. Outer margin is not wavy. HW yellowish with pale brown shading. (1)

Larva can be identified by the cream-colored stripes, the subspiracular stripe being thicker than the others, and the host plant (oaks and chestnut).
Range
e US (w/ a few strays further n.) - Map (MPG)
Season
mostly: June to Sept - MPG
Food
chestnuts and oaks, other reported food plants may be in error (2)
See Also
Adults could be confused with D. integerrima, especially when worn. D. contracta tends to have some golden-orange shading along the costa, a heavy peppering of black scales over the entire forewings, and the pale shading along the median lines only present at the inner margin, not reaching the costa.
Internet References
BOLD Systems - images of pinned DNA supported specimens
Works Cited
1.Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America
Charles V. Covell, Jr. 2005.
2.Caterpillars of Eastern North America
David L. Wagner. 2005. Princeton University Press.