Operophtera danbyi

Danby’s Winter Moth Operophtera danbyi is a native North American species, of quite striking appearance and not likely to be confused with either O. brumata or O. bruceata. Apart from the wing pattern, the shape of the forewing is distinctive, with a dead straight costa and a relatively sharp apex, not gently rounded as in the other species. Also, the upperside of the thorax has marks on it reminiscent of the marks on the thorax of the famous Death’s Head Hawk Moth of Europe.