Datana ranaeceps

(Guérin-Méneville, 1844)

post-burn datana, post-burn datana moth, heart-leaved catchfly, ranaeceps datana moth

Datana ranaeceps, commonly known as the post-burn datana, is a of prominent in the Notodontidae. First described by Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville in 1844, this North American species is part of a whose larvae are known as significant defoliators of hardwood trees. The species is recognized by the MONA/Hodges number 7911.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Datana ranaeceps: /ˈdætənə rɑːneɪˌsɛps/

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Distribution

North America. Specific records include Arizona, with distribution spanning regions where plants occur.

Behavior

Larvae of the Datana are gregarious feeders, consuming leaves in groups and causing localized defoliation. They do not construct silken webs or tents, distinguishing them from web-building caterpillars such as fall webworms.

Ecological Role

As a member of the Datana, larvae function as late-season defoliators of hardwood trees. While conspicuous in their feeding damage, single defoliation events by Datana generally do not cause long-term tree health impacts. Natural enemies regulate , and the larvae serve as prey for various and including thread-waisted wasps in the genus Ammophila.

Human Relevance

Larvae may cause aesthetic damage to ornamental and shade trees. Management is seldom necessary due to minimal long-term health impacts on trees; mechanical removal of small larval clusters or targeted applications may be warranted for high-value specimens.

Similar Taxa

Datana integerrima (walnut caterpillar)Similar larval and —both are gregarious, non-web-building defoliators with comparable body form and hair patterns. Distinguished by plant association and subtle morphological differences in and larval stages.
Anisota senatoria (orangestriped oakworm)Both are late-season, gregarious hardwood defoliators with conspicuous larval clusters. Anisota larvae have distinctive orange stripes and feed primarily on oaks, whereas Datana typically feed on other hardwoods including walnut and hickory.
Hyphantria cunea (fall webworm)Both are late-season defoliators, but fall webworm larvae construct large silken webs which Datana larvae lack. Web presence allows immediate differentiation between the two.

More Details

MONA/Hodges Number

7911

Taxonomic History

First described by Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville in 1844, placing it among the earlier described in the Datana.