70.106 BF1799

Winter Moth Operophtera brumata

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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Wingspan 22-28 mm.

A common species in most of Britain, this moth occurs, as its English name suggests, from late autumn through to January or February.

The larvae feed on a range of trees and shrubs, as well as moorland species such as heather (Calluna). Sometimes the larvae occur in great numbers, reaching pest status and occasionally completely defoliating small trees.

The females are virtually wingless, and crawl up tree-trunks to await the arrival of males.