Species Datana drexelii - Drexel's Datana - Hodges#7904

7904

Datana drexelii Hy. Edwards, 1884

Phylogenetic sequence #930035

WS = 40-56mm (1)

Adult: Similar to D. ministra with FW slightly darker, especially toward costa. Outer margin less scalloped. HW darker than D. ministra. (1)

D. drexelii are inseparable from D. major without dissection. Both species have brown forewings, usually with orange shading along the costa. The reniform and orbicular spots are usually distinct, often quite bold.

Larva: "The larva of D. drexelii is similar to the yellownecked caterpillar. The head and body are black. The cervical shield, or "collar", and front of the thorax are yellow, forming a "yellow neck." There are 11 (counting the ventral line) yellow longitudinal stripes along the body, with the lateral stripes connected at the rear with a small yellow ... patch on abdominal segment nine or on segments eight and nine. Full-grown larvae are 45-50 mm long." - Auburn University Account

South Carolina west to Kentucky and northward. (1)

Blueberry, sourwood, and witch-hazel. (1)

D. ministra averages a bit paler, plainer brown without any orange shading along the costa, has smaller reniform spots on average, and tends to have more heavily scalloped forewing margins. Some individuals cannot be reliably distinguished without dissection.

D. contracta is much paler, with an overlay of black scales.

D. major averages a bit larger and redder brown, but is usually not separable from D. drexelii unless dissected.