Hodges#7437

Operophtera bruceata

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Geometroidea
Family: Geometridae
Subfamily: Larentiinae
Tribe: Operophterini
Genus: Operophtera
Species: bruceata

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Operophtera bruceata: /ˌɒpəˈrɒftərə bruːˈsiːətə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Operophtera bruceata adult1 by Ronald S. Kelley. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Operophtera bruceata egg1 by Ronald S. Kelley. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Operophtera bruceata egg by Ronald S. Kelley. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Operophtera bruceata damage by Ronald S. Kelley. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Operophtera bruceata larva by E. Bradford Walker. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Operophtera bruceata (Bruce Spanworm Moth) male - 38480887122 by Kristof Zyskowski & Yulia Bereshpolova. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Operophtera bruceata, the Bruce spanworm or native winter moth, is a moth of the Geometridae family, first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1886. It inhabits deciduous woods and has a wingspan of 25–30 mm. Adult activity occurs from October to December, and it has a green caterpillar stage that primarily feeds on the leaves of several tree species.

Physical Characteristics

Wingspan of males 25-30 mm; females have underdeveloped wings and do not fly. Male forewings are grayish-brownish with a series of distinct dark single dots along the terminal line.

Identification Tips

Distinguished from the similar Autumnal Moth by the darker forewing color and the distinctive terminal line of dark single dots.

Habitat

Deciduous woods in southern Canada and northern United States.

Distribution

Found from coast to coast in southern Canada and northern parts of the United States.

Diet

Larvae feed primarily on leaves of Sugar Maple, American Beech, and Trembling Aspen, with occasional feeding on willow and other deciduous trees.

Life Cycle

One generation per year; overwinter as eggs, larvae feed from May to June, pupation occurs until October or November when adults emerge.

Reproduction

Flightless females climb tree trunks to lay pale green eggs singly in bark cracks or on large branches.

Ecosystem Role

Considered a part of the forest ecosystem, affecting the foliage of certain tree species.

Health Concerns

Viruses and microsporidia can impact larvae and pupae, with noted infections by nucleopolyhedrovirus and high levels of microsporidia in outbreak populations.

Evolution

O. bruceata is closely related to the invasive O. brumata, with evidence of hybridization between the two species.

Similar Taxa

Operophtera brumata (Winter Moth)

Misconceptions

Often confused with the true Winter Moth, O. brumata, due to their similar appearance.