Editing Autumnal moth (section)

==Description==
This species is very similar to the [[November moth]], the [[Epirrita filigrammaria|small Autumnal moth]], and the [[pale November moth]], and identification is usually only possible by examining the [[Lepidoptera genitalia|genitalia]].<ref>Martin C. Townsend, Jon Clifton and Brian Goodey (2010). [https://butterfly-conservation.org/uploads/Difficult_species_guide_page_30.pdf ''British and Irish Moths: An Illustrated Guide to Selected Difficult Species'']. Butterfly Conservation.</ref> In general, this is the least variable of the four, with [[melanism|melanic]] forms occurring less often. It is also usually on the wing earlier in the year, flying in September and October,{{ref|flight_season}} although the flight seasons of all three species overlap.

The [[caterpillar]] feeds on a wide variety of trees and shrubs.<ref>Sadik Tuzun and Elizabeth Bent, 2006</ref><ref>Hogan, C. Michael (2008). [http://globaltwitcher.auderis.se/artspec_information.asp?thingid=44736 "Douglas-fir: ''Pseudotsuga menziesii''". globalTwitcher.com, ed. Nicklas Strõmberg] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604021155/http://globaltwitcher.auderis.se/artspec_information.asp?thingid=44736 |date=2009-06-04 }}</ref> The species overwinters as an [[egg (biology)|egg]].