Geometridae: Larentiinae

1799 (ABH70.106) Winter Moth Operophtera brumata, (Linnaeus, 1758)

KR08447

Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Wingless female ex larva found on Horse Chestnut, Great Staughton
Wingless female ex larva found on Horse Chestnut, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Wingless female ex larva found on Horse Chestnut, Great Staughton
Wingless female ex larva found on Horse Chestnut, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Wingless female ex larva found on Horse Chestnut, Great Staughton
Wingless female ex larva found on Horse Chestnut, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Flightless Female, Monks Wood
Flightless Female, Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
On Willow, Staughton Moor
On Willow, Staughton Moor
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

Females have only vestigal wings and crawl up tree-trunks to await the arrival of males.

 

Pupates in loose soil.

Overwinters as Overwinters as an egg.
Both sexes come to light.

Forewing length: 13-16mm.
Foodplant(s): oaks (Quercus spp.), birches (Betula spp.), sallows (Salix spp.), hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Hazel (Corylus avellana), Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), Horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), broadleaved trees
Flying: One generation, October-January
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Nearly everywhere.

Regional Information

Recorded in 71 (26.3%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in December 2019

Recorded date range (Adult): 01 January to 31 December

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 07 May to 05 July

Similar Species
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Northern Winter Moth Operophtera fagata


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Smooth
Colours:
Green, yellow, white
No. of Proleg Pairs:
2