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 NNR, 12th Jan 2007. Light trap.
Monks Wood NNR, 12th Jan 2007. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Flightless Female, Monks Wood
Flightless Female, Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
ex larva Hemingford Abbots, 12th April 2021. Em. 18-2-2021
ex larva Hemingford Abbots, 12th April 2021. Em. 18-2-2021
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
ex larva Monks Wood NNR, May 2007.
ex larva Monks Wood NNR, May 2007.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood NNR.. 6th Dec. 2007. Photo at night.
Monks Wood NNR.. 6th Dec. 2007. Photo at night.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Monks Wood NNR, 2nd Jan. 2007. Light trap.
Monks Wood NNR, 2nd Jan. 2007. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
ex larva Monks Wood NNR, May 2007.
ex larva Monks Wood NNR, May 2007.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood NNR. 3rd Dec. 2007. Light trap.
Monks Wood NNR. 3rd Dec. 2007. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood NNR, 3rd Dec. 2007. Light trap.
Monks Wood NNR, 3rd Dec. 2007. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood, 31st Jan. 2006. Light trap.
Monks Wood, 31st Jan. 2006. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
On Willow, Staughton Moor
On Willow, Staughton Moor
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
near Hilton on Elm, 22nd April 2020.
near Hilton on Elm, 22nd April 2020.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
ex larva Hilton, 22nd April 2020.. 1 of 2.
ex larva Hilton, 22nd April 2020.. 1 of 2.
 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 77 (28.5%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in January 2024

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

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 22 April 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