Operophtera brumata (Linnaeus, 1758) Species
Last modified: Dec. 8, 2024, 12:44 p.m.
A very common species throughout Belgium, sometimes as a pest in orchards.
This species is considered Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List category for Flanders 2023.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Geometridae > Subfamily: Larentiinae > Tribus: Operophterini > Genus: Operophtera > Species: Operophtera brumata
- Vernacular names
- Kleine wintervlinder (NL), Winter Moth (EN), La Cheimatobie hiémale, la Phalène brumeuse (FR), Kleiner Frostspanner (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Sélys-Longchamps E. 1844. Énumération des insectes Lépidoptères de la Belgique. — Mémoires de la Société royale des Sciences de Liége 2: 1–35. On page 17.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan ♂ 22–28 mm., ♀ have short wings.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Genitalia
Caterpillar
Bionomics
Hibernates as egg. Males come to light, females are brachypterous.
During frost, the males doesn't fly and they just sit still on tree trunks, mainly on Quercus.
Flight periods
The adults fly from late October till end of December, but occasionally can be seen till February, depending on mild conditions. The beginning and end of the flight period changes from year to year and is depending on weather conditions.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Myrica gale
- Host plant (genera):
- Calluna
- Substrates:
- Deciduous trees
The larva lives on a great variety of trees and shrubs. Around a hundred different foodplants are known.
