Northern Winter Moth
Operophtera fagata
This record describes Operophtera fagata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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. Woodland, scrub, heathland, gardens and orchards. Flies from October to December but not through the entire winter like O. brumata . The larvae feed on a number of trees, including Apple and Birch. Widespread throughout Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Operophtera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodland, scrub, heathland, gardens and orchards.
Seasonal Activity
Flies from October to December but not through the entire winter like
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on a number of trees, including Apple and Birch.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread throughout Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Operophtera fagata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Northern Winter Moth (6)
Frequently Asked Questions About Northern Winter Moth
What is Northern Winter Moth?
Northern Winter Moth (Operophtera fagata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Northern Winter Moth found?
Habitat: Woodland, scrub, heathland, gardens and orchards.
When is Northern Winter Moth active?
Northern Winter Moth: seasonal activity - Flies from October to December but not through the entire winter like.
What is the life cycle of a Northern Winter Moth?
The larvae feed on a number of trees, including Apple and Birch.