# Oak Winter Highflier (*Hydriomena nubilofasciata*)

The Oak Winter Highflier is a special moth that loves to flutter around oak trees. It has beautiful patterns on its wings that help it blend in with the bark.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Oak Winter Highflier](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hydriomena_nubilofasciata.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Jeremy deWaard, University of British Columbia, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hydriomena_nubilofasciata.jpg)

## Appearance

The Oak Winter Highflier is a medium-sized moth with mottled grey, brown, and pale green wings. Its forewings feature wavy lines and blotches, creating a striking resemblance to tree bark or lichen. This intricate patterning makes it visually distinct among winter insects.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Lepidoptera
- **Family:** Geometridae
- **Genus:** Hydriomena

## Interesting facts

- Its caterpillar stage can change colors to match the oak leaves it eats!
- Males have feathery antennae to sniff out females from far away!
- The adult moths don't eat at all; they live off energy stored as caterpillars!
- This moth is one of the few insects you can spot flying on a snowy winter day!

## Special abilities

- **Bark Blending Master:** Oak Winter Highflier has wings patterned like tree bark that helps them disappear against oak trunks to avoid hungry birds.
- **Winter Warrior:** Oak Winter Highflier can fly and be active in chilly winter weather because of special biological antifreeze that helps them survive freezing temperatures.
- **Nocturnal Navigator:** Oak Winter Highflier can see well in low light conditions because of large, sensitive eyes that help them find mates and food at night.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm
- **Size:** 10-15 mm
- **Lifespan:** 10-20 days
- **Flight Speed:** 5-15 km/h
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

As caterpillars, they munch on oak leaves; adults don't eat, living off stored energy!

- **Age differences:** Caterpillars are herbivores eating oak leaves; adult moths do not feed.
- **Primary Foods:** oak leaves (larvae)
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Carolina Chickadee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carolina-chickadee) (*Poecile carolinensis*) — Chickadees forage for overwintering insects, including this moth.
- **Eats:** [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) — Its caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves of this oak.
- **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Nocturnal bats use echolocation to hunt these flying moths.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Moths are usually safe to watch, but don't touch them as they can be delicate.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Oak Winter Highflier?

Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Oak Winter Highflier's wingspan?

25-35 mm

### How big is Oak Winter Highflier?

10-15 mm

### How long does Oak Winter Highflier live?

10-20 days

### How fast can Oak Winter Highflier fly?

5-15 km/h

### What does Oak Winter Highflier eat?

As caterpillars, they munch on oak leaves; adults don't eat, living off stored energy!

### Where is Oak Winter Highflier usually found?

Forests

### How does Oak Winter Highflier hunt?

Foraging

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Oak Winter Highflier: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oak-winter-highflier)