This is a new and important pest of apples, blueberries and other deciduous plants, especially in Southeastern New England. They can severely reduce yields and/or defoliate bushes. Moths emerge from the soil usually in late November and may be active into January. The male moths are light brown to tan in color and all four wings are fringed with small elongated scales that give the hind margins a hairy or fringed appearance. The female is gray, almost wingless and, therefore, cannot fly. Females are usually found at the base of trees or scurrying up tree trunks. Winter Moth caterpillars are pale green with a white longitudinal stripe running down both sides of the body.
