Geometridae : Larentiinae
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Northern Winter Moth
Operophtera fagata

(Scharfenberg, 1805) 1800 / 70.105
Photo © Nick Lawman,  Wheldrake, North Yorkshire

Immature stages

Similar Yorkshire Species
Winter Moth
Operophtera brumata
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Express Record Northern Winter Moth

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Yorkshire Status: Local resident.

This is the larger, paler and less common version of Winter Moth. The hindwing is quite a lot paler, and it tends to have a more silky appearance. The two are fairly easy to confuse, but if in doubt, it's usually Winter Moth, especially in gardens. If you are trapping however in November in birch woodland, the situation will be different, eg 26 at Birch Wood YWT on 10/11/2021. It may be commoner than records suggest as few people venture out into woodlands in November. It is also possible to confuse this with a small late Epirrita species. Another clue is the date - Northern Winter Moth has normally finished flying by early December whereas Winter Moth goes on to the end of January.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: There should be no shortage of suitable habitat for this species in most parts of Yorkshire but it is generally only sparsely recorded from all five vice-counties. This is almost certainly a combination of under-recording due to the lateness of season and due to confusion with O. brumata (Linnaeus), for instance G. T. Foggitt reports it to occur annually at Pannal (VC64) with a maximum of twenty-seven in 1981 compared to ninety brumata.

Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 76 (38%) of 200 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1883.
Last Recorded in 2023.
Additional Stats

< Devon Carpet  |  Winter Moth >
Forewing: 14-18mm
Flight: October - December
Foodplant:   Birch and Alder
Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Common
Verification Grade:  Adult: 3
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
17/12/2023164SE34 - Harewood
15/12/2023164SE34 - Harewood
27/11/2023164SD67 - Ingleton
24/11/2023164SE34 - Harewood
22/11/2023164SE24 - Bramhope / Otley
  Immature   Adult   [Show Flight Weeks]
Show Details | 1990 to 2023 | 2000 to 2023 | Graph Key
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