When do the destructive Winter Moth larvae feed most actively on deciduous trees?
Answer
From late April through June, targeting newly emerging leaves and flower buds.
The life cycle of the Winter Moth separates the destructive larval feeding stage from the cold-weather adult activity. While the adults mate in the fall/early winter, the eggs laid during that time overwinter dormant. When spring arrives and temperatures rise, the eggs hatch, releasing the larvae. These caterpillars are voracious eaters whose feeding frenzy peaks from late April, when deciduous trees begin to bud and produce tender growth, continuing through June. This timing maximizes resource consumption for the larvae before they complete their development.
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