Life cycle (Winter moth)

• Adults occur from October to January but are most numerous in November and December.
• On emergence from pupation, the spider-like female crawls up the trunk of the tree and after mating, lays 100-200 eggs singly in crevices in the bark.
• Eggs hatch in spring mainly from bud-burst to green cluster, but some hatch later.
• The tiny caterpillars are often blown from tree to tree and infestations may also spread to fruit trees from adjacent woodland in this way.
• Feeding continues until late May or early June.
• When mature, the larvae drop to the ground to pupate.