Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 931929

Walnut Caterpillar Moth
Datana integerrima

Observation date: September 25, 2013
Submitted by: MalcolmX
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: We live just north of Hudson Oaks and south of Lake Weatherford along a wooded dry creek bed. They were first noticed on the ground amongst our heavily mulched backyard. They then wanted to get on our brick house on the north side which left them vulnerable to the racoons. There were several making the vertical climb on the house brick. Weather was nice. We have pecan, cedar elm, live oak, red oak, cedar, bumelia and Texas Mulberry trees. Fort Worth Nature Center was not able to identify. Help!
Status: Resident
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: September 13, 2015
Coordinator notes: Sorry it took so long! This looks to be Datana integerrima or Walnut Caterpillar. They feed on Butternut, hickory, pecan, and walnut. I suspect they were feeding on pecan because that was in your list of trees nearby. This appears to be a late instar and is probably trying to find a place to pupate. According to Wagner, younger caterpillars are more reddish and glossy.
Checklist region(s): United States, Parker County, Texas