The Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is an abundant species of Europe and the Near East and one of very few Lepidoptera of temperate regions in which the adults are active even in the depth of winter.
The female of this species is virtually wingless and cannot fly but the male is fully winged and flies strongly. Its wingspan is 28-33 mm with alternating pale buff and darker brown fascia on the forewings and a similar pattern, but much paler, on the hindwings. The adults are active at night throughout the winter from October to February and the male is attracted to light.
The larva is green with pale lines on the sides and a darker one along the top. It will feed on virtually any tree or shrub and can be a serious pest in apple orchards.
References
Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984
