Winter Moth?1 12/7/13 - Operophtera

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Geometrid and Swallowtail Moths (Geometroidea) » Geometrid Moths (Geometridae) » Larentiinae » Operophterini » Operophtera

Photo#873534

Copyright © 2013 claireplymouth

Winter Moth?1 12/7/13 - Operophtera

Plymouth, MA, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA
December 7, 2013
Size: 1.5 cm x 2 cm

Earlier today I posted an image of a moth that I tentatively identified as a Bruce Spanworm. Another similar, but different moth is now clinging to the glass on the other side of the house. This image is of the second moth. I live in the southeast coastal region of Massachusetts where Winter Moths (Operophtera brumata) are rampant. However, I've read that the very similar Bruce Spanworm (Operophtera bruceata)is also common here (not to mention Fall Cankerworms too). I've looked at many images online and they vary enormously so I'm very uncertain as to the identity of this particular moth in the image I've uploaded. I do think it's either a Bruce Spanworm or a Winter Moth but I'm not sure which.

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Contributed by claireplymouth on 7 December, 2013 - 2:20pm
Last updated 31 January, 2015 - 10:10am

Moved

Moved from Moths.

Claire, yes I did look at your other moth and I see your problem. I am a "visual only" ID person and I think you were looking at the broader AM and PM lines on this moth, so, in my opinion this one "could" be the Winter species of this species. Not an ID.

… A. Hendrickson, 31 January, 2015 - 10:10am

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… john and jane balaban, 4 January, 2014 - 9:28pm

Looks like ...

Bruce Spanworm Moth (Operophtera bruceata), a univoltine "winter" moth

… Robert Lord Zimlich, 9 December, 2013 - 1:08am

Thanks!

Did you take a look at the other moth? I posted that one before I saw this moth. Are they both Bruce Spanworms? Winter moth damage is severe in SE MA but there hasn't been much damage in my area so I'm rooting for Bruce Spanworms.

… claireplymouth, 9 December, 2013 - 6:14am

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