Operophtera brumata

Winter Moth

This European invader is notorious, and everyone is familiar with the hordes of caterpillars that feed on almost every broad-leaved bush, tree or shrub. Though few have a good word to say about the Winter Moth, the caterpillars must be a great help to song-birds trying to raise a hungry family. The caterpillars feed in the spring, and pupate for the summer and fall. Emergence takes place in the depth of winter, and large numbers of the male moths can be seen flying from mid-November to early January. The females are flightless, and one of them here (top left photo) appears to have found herself in difficulties as she tries to lay her eggs on the sticky bud of a Horse Chestnut tree.