Northern Winter Moth
Common NameNorthern Winter Moth
Scientific NameOperophtera brumata
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyLarentiinae
Wingspan (mm)27.5
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorslight brown, grey
HabitatDeciduous and mixed forests, orchards, gardens, hedgerows
Geographic RangeNative to Europe and parts of Asia; invasive in North America (eastern Canada, northeastern US, Pacific Northwest)
Host Plantsoak, apple, cherry, birch, elm, maple, hazel, hawthorn, willow, blueberry
Flight PeriodOctober to January
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUnivoltine, with eggs laid in bark crevices in winter. Larvae hatch in spring to feed on buds and leaves, then pupate in the soil, emerging as adults in late autumn/early winter.
Identification TipsMales are identified by their late autumn/early winter flight period and the faint, wavy transverse lines on their pale forewings. Females are flightless with vestigial wings.
Description
A small, slender moth with pale greyish-brown forewings often marked with faint, wavy darker lines. The hindwings are paler and unpatterned.
