119 
D AT AN A MINISTRA, Walk. 
The larva of this species, when fully grown, may be described in 
general terms as black, moderately hairy, with four conspicuous 
yellow or white stripes on each side of the body, and with the shield 
Fig. 33.—Datana ministra. Moth, larva and eggs. 
or top of the first segment behind the head of a bright wax-yellow 
color. Length, about two inches. 
Dr. LeBaron found that the colors and characteristics varied 
according to the food—plant on which it subsisted, and descubes 
three varieties, as follows: 
That feeding on the Apple: “Body black, with four narrow, pale 
yellow stripes upon the sides, narrower than the intervening spaces. 
Upper side of the neck or first segment deep wax-yellow. Hairs on 
the body whitish, about as long as the width of the body. 
That feeding on the Sumach: “Body black; in some specimens, 
very dark red, with bright lemon-yellow stripes as wide as the inter¬ 
vening snaces. Top of neck black, sometimes with a narrow ante¬ 
rior margin of yellow. Hair same.” 
That feeding on the Walnut: “Body wholly black, without stripes. 
Top of neck black. Hairs pure white, twice as long as the width 
of the body.” ... 
These caterpillars have only eight pro-legs, the anal pair being 
projected horizontally backward and changed into conical processes 
which are abruptly cut off at the tips, and are not used in walking. 
When disturbed they have a curious way of elevating the head and 
tail at right-angles with the body, sometimes making them meet 
over the back, thus forming a loop or ring. Gregarious. 
They feed on a variety of plants, such as the Black Walnut, 
Apple, Sumach, Oak, Hazel, Cherry, Quince, Hickory, Black Locust, 
Birch, Basswood and Thorn. 
Datana perspicua, G. & K. 
This species is now believed to be the same as the Sumach va¬ 
riety of Dr. LeBaron. 
Notodonta concinna, Sm. & Abb. 
The young caterpillars are similar to but lighter than the matine 
ones. The latter are greenish-yellow or yellowisli-brown; the head 
and a prominent hump on the back of fourth segment coral-red. 
