About Operophtera fagata (Scharfenberg, 1805)
Operophtera fagata, commonly known as the northern winter moth, is a moth species belonging to the family Geometridae. It is widespread across much of Europe. Its geographic range extends through central and northern Europe, reaching as far as southeast Russia, and it is widespread throughout both the UK and Northern Ireland. Within Europe, this species primarily prefers common beech woodland, though it also occupies habitats with birch trees. The larvae of Operophtera fagata feed on foliage from the genera Malus (apple), Prunus (plum, cherry), Betula (birch), Tilia (lime), and Fagus (beech). Regarding its reproduction and life history, mature larvae drop from host trees to the woodland floor between mid-May and early June, where they pupate in the soil. They stay in the pupal stage until October and November, when adult moths emerge to reproduce. Females of this species are wingless, and must crawl up tree trunks after emergence, while males fly in nighttime swarms to find and mate with females. In November, females lay their eggs on twigs positioned close to leaf buds, and the eggs overwinter at this location. In the UK, adult moths are active between October and December. Larvae hatch between April and May; across Europe, this hatching timing aligns with the emergence of new birch leaves.
