Which stage of the Winter Moth inflicts the major feeding damage?
Answer
Newly hatched larvae emerging in the spring
The most significant feeding damage caused by the Winter Moth, *Operophtera brumata*, is inflicted by the larval stage. Although the adult moths are present during the winter months, their activities are limited to mating and egg-laying, and they generally do not feed significantly. The entire damaging cycle begins when the larvae hatch in the spring, coinciding with bud break. These larvae are voracious eaters, focusing their continuous consumption on the new, tender foliage available during that critical early growth phase, which is why understanding this specific temporal window is essential for landscape protection.
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