What is the origin and meaning of the specific epithet *brumata* in *Operophtera brumata*?

Derived from the Latin word for winter, reflecting the adult flight period

The specific epithet *brumata* is directly informative regarding the phenology, or seasonal timing, of the adult Winter Moth. This term originates from the Latin word that signifies 'winter.' This naming convention is appropriate because the adult male moths emerge and are active during the late autumn and early winter, often flying on mild nights between late November and February, which is highly unusual compared to most moths that fly in warmer seasons. This timing is specifically linked to the search for the non-flying, nearly wingless females clinging to tree trunks, making the winter aspect central to the species' identity.