70.105 Operophtera fagata (Northern Winter Moth)
fw 14-18mm; Oct-Dec; birches (Betula spp), alder (Alnus glutinosa); common in England, less common in Wales & Scotland
Operophtera fagata (Northern Winter Moth) §1 male
ID: Operophtera species have a more rounded forewing apex than Epiritta species; O.brumata has a browner forewing than O.fagata and O.fagata has a whiter hindwing that O.brumata.
Male genitalia: the uncus is more parallel-sided, more slender and with a small apical point in O.fagata; more spatulate and with an evenly rounded apex in O.brumata; the anterior portion of the juxta is fuller with a much smaller basal indentation in O.fagata; the aedeagus has a stronger, more obvious cornutus in O.fagata.
Male genitalia: the uncus is more parallel-sided, more slender and with a small apical point in O.fagata; more spatulate and with an evenly rounded apex in O.brumata; the anterior portion of the juxta is fuller with a much smaller basal indentation in O.fagata; the aedeagus has a stronger, more obvious cornutus in O.fagata.
Dissection
Male genitalia
§1 Dodd Wood, Cumbria; 12/11/2014; male; fw 15.9mm
§2 Dodd Wood, Cumbria; 12/11/2014; male
§3 Dodd Wood, Cumbria; 12/11/2014; male; fw 16.5mm
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Dodd Wood, Cumbria; 12/11/2014; male
§3 Dodd Wood, Cumbria; 12/11/2014; male; fw 16.5mm
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 01/12/2014 (§1-3)
