The Contracted Datana grows to a length of approximately 1.75 inches. It is black with a broad middorsal black stripe and 4 cream and 3 black stripes below it. It has long white soft hairs around its body. The head is black and the thoracic shield is orange. The Contracted Datana moth has a wingspan of approximately 1.75 to 2.25 inches. The head is small and tucked down under the hairy thorax . Both are a burnt-orange color. The forewing is tan with blackish bands across the wing and yellowish shading along the lines. The hindwings are pale yellow to pale brown.
The frequency of occurrence of this species is not known in Fontenelle Forest or Neale Woods. The individual shown here was photographed in Fontenelle Forest in early August.
The larval foodplants are oak and chestnut. All Datanas occur in large clusters of caterpillars. A single caterpillar found away from the food plant is most likely on its way to locate a suitable place to pupate. This species overwinters as a pupa.
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