Frequently Asked Questions About Insects - Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University

Frequently Asked Questions

Topic:	Caterpillars, walnut caterpillar
Question:	I am trying to identify a caterpillar from a flood plain forest in East Texas. I think it is an Arctiid (Ctenuchid perhaps?). I am wondering if you know a good reference I could use to key out a specimen?
Answer:	The caterpillar is in the family Notodontidae. Probably in the genus Datana. One of the Datana is called walnut caterpillar which feeds on walnut, pecan, etc. They can occur in large numbers locally but are in outbreak numbers only about one year in 10 or 20. The good identification keys would require a lot of training and work. Generally, it would be necessary to have adults, dissect the abdomens, and compare the genitalia, before you could get a species level identification. You might find the book called "Eastern Forest Insects" a useful reference. The USGS Moth site may also help.
Related Link:	http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg310.html
Related Link:	http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/moths/tx/toc.htm
Image Link: **
Response by:	John A. Jackman
Title:	Professor and Extension Specialist
** Most of the Related Links above also contain images.