Northern Winter Moth - Operophtera fagata

Description

Wingspan 32 to 40 mm. Male is rather similar to the Winter Moth (O. brumata) but paler and silky looking with whitish hindwings. The females have only vestigial wings.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Woodland, scrub, heathland, gardens and orchards.

When to see it

Flies from October to December but not through the entire winter like O. brumata.

Life History

The larvae feed on a number of trees, including Apple and Birch.

UK Status

Widespread throughout Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. LR Moth Group status = C (very scarce resident or rare migrant)

Reference
70.105 BF1800

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Northern Winter Moth
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Geometridae
Records on NatureSpot:
12
First record:
07/11/2010 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
25/11/2019 (Gaten, Ted)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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