Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

13 June 2002   9:50PM EST  (top left)
14 June 2002   10:26PM EST  (top center)
26 June 2002   10:42AM EST  (top right)
29 June 2002   11:55PM EST  (bottom)

Datana ministra is one of several similar species of Datana that occur in my area.  Like many other species of Notodontidae, it tends to roll its wings around its body when at rest, as in the first three photos above.  According to Handfield (1999) and Covell (1984), Datana ministra can be distinguished by the combination of its reddish brown forewing with no distinct dark shades, the scalloped margin of the forewing (especially noticeable in the first two photos), and its reddish brown thorax.  In the top right photo, looking head-on at the moth in bright daylight, the thorax appears more of a vivid dark orange color.  The forewing is crossed by several fairly distinct dark lines.

Covell (1984) calls this the Yellow-Necked Caterpillar Moth, noting that the larva can sometimes be a pest on apple trees.  Handfield (1999) indicates a wide variety of host plants, including birch, elm, apple, basswood, willow, hawthorn, oak and many others.  There appears to be only one generation per year in my area. 

I have photographed this species in 2002 on 13, 14, 21, 26 and 29 June, and on 3 July.