| Angle shades moth - Phlogophora meticulosa - Family: Noctuidae
 Angle shades moth - Phlogophora meticulosa© Rob Wolton/English NatureThe angle shades moth, seen from May to July and August to October, has delicate green and brown markings in a camouflage pattern. The moth folds its forewings when at rest to enhance the effect of a crumpled leaf. Although there are two large generations in spring and autumn, the moth can be found in almost any month, particularly in the autumn when migrants are most frequent. The caterpillars are green or brown and seen from May to August. Caterpillars hatching from eggs laid in the autumn feed slowly throughout the winter on any herbaceous species retaining its leaves and produce adults in the spring. The second generation caterpillars feed on a wider range of herbaceous plants throughout the summer. They pupate in loose cocoons just below the soil surface. This is a moth commonly found throughout the British Isles. FoodGarden 'weeds' like dock, nettle, chickweed and bramble are important food for the larvae of the angle shades moth. They will also attach to hop, oak, birch, red valerian, geraniums and chrysanthemums. PlantsCommon nettle, Common valerian, Downy birch, Ivy, Male-fern, Pedunculate oak, Red dead-nettle, Sessile oak, Silver birch, White dead-nettle PredatorsOphion luteus |
