Moths of North Carolina

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Datana ministra (Drury, 1773) - Yellow-necked Caterpillar Moth

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Noctuoidea

Family:
Notodontidae

Subfamily:
Phalerinae

P3 Number:
930033

MONA Number:
7902.00

Comments: One of 16 species in this genus, all but one of which occurs in North America north of Mexico (Miller et al., 2018). Nine have been recorded in North Carolina.

Species Status: Adult characters seem to indicate a close relationship to angusii, but larval characters link ministra more closely with integerrima (Miller et al., 2018).

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948); Miller et al. (2018)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1948); Wagner (2005); Miller et al. (2018)

Adult Markings: A reddish- to yellowish-brown Datana, with a crenate outer margin and showing little contrast across the width of the forewing, from the costal edge to the inner margin (Forbes, 1948; Miller et al., 2018). In drexelli and major, both of which also have a crenate outer margin, the anterior portion of the forewing is paler or richer golden yellow above the cubitus vein and darker below it. Datana angusii, the only other Datana with a crenate outer margin, also shows little contrast across the wing but the ground color is umber brown, without red or yellow shadings, and the lines are darker brown than in ministra. Worn or poorly marked specimens should be dissected to confirm their identification.

Wingspan: 40-50 mm (Forbes, 1948)

Adult Structural Features: Valves of the males have a single, smooth transverse flange; in angusii, which also has a single flange, the flange is dentate or tuberculate (Forbes, 1948; Miller et al., 2018). The uncus is smoothly rounded over in ministra but bifid in angusii (Forbes, 1948). See Forbes and Miller et al. for additional details and illustrations. Miller et al., also describe distinctive features of the female structures.

Structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].

Immatures and Development: Larvae are black with pale yellow, continuous lines. The prothoracic shield is usually yellowish, as are the prolegs.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution:

County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.


Flight Dates: High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft. Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft. Piedmont (Pd) Coastal Plain (CP) Click on graph to enlarge
Immature Dates: High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft. Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft. Piedmont (Pd) Coastal Plain (CP) Click on graph to enlarge

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Oak barrens are preferred but other woodland and shrubland habitats are used, including parks and yards (Miller et al., 2018). Our records come from both dry and mesic hardwood forests, as well as maritime shrublands, Longleaf pine habitats, and peatlands. Mountain records come from cove forests and northern hardwoods,

Larval Host Plants: Larvae are polyphagous, feeding on many species of hardwood trees and shrubs. Miller et al. (2018) mention oaks as frequently used; other confirmed species include apple, basswood, beech, birch, chestnut, cotoneaster, elm, fetterbush, and willow. Hazelnut, hop-Hornbeam, and rose have also been reported (Robinson et al., 2010). In North Carolina, larvae have been recorded on White Oak (Quercus alba), Swamp Chestnut Oak (Q. michauxii), Water Oak (Q. nigra), Cherrybark Oak (Q. pagoda), Willow Oak (Q. phellos), Black Oak (Q. velutina), Sawtooth Oak (Q. acutissima), and Winged Elm (Ulmus alata). - View

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Forests and Shrublands

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [S5]

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments:

Photo Gallery for Datana ministra - Yellow-necked Caterpillar Moth

66 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-28 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-07-26 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Patrick Coin on 2025-06-29 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-06-28 Moore Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin on 2025-05-24 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2024-09-12 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2024-07-26 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-17 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2024-07-14 Macon Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-05 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-05 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-05 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-06-01 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George on 2023-09-04 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George on 2023-09-04 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-09-04 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, John Petranka on 2023-09-02 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Joselynne Jaques on 2023-08-26 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Joselynne Jaques on 2023-08-26 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, John Petranka on 2023-08-21 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Caleb Garner on 2023-08-20 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Caleb Garner on 2023-08-20 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-08-14 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin and Bo Sullivan on 2023-08-08 Wilkes Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-30 Swain Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2023-07-27 Cabarrus Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Stefanie Hedrick on 2023-07-26 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-11 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-07-08 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-07-06 Transylvania Co. Comment: