Angle Shades

Taxobox
name = Angle Shades

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image_width = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Lepidoptera
familia = Noctuidae
genus = "Phlogophora"
species = "P. meticulosa"
binomial = "Phlogophora meticulosa"
binomial_authority = Linnaeus, 1758The Angle Shades ("Phlogophora meticulosa") is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is a common and familiar European species and is often strongly migratory.

This species has a wingspan of 45-52 mm and the forewings are very distinctively shaped with a sharply pointed apex. The common name is derived from the characteristic markings on the forewings: the base colour is buffish, brown towards the termen, and is marked with a bold v-shaped pink and green marking. Despite this bright colouring, the angular markings provide excellent camouflage against foliage. The hindwings are whitish with darker venation. Two broods are produced each year, and in the British Isles, the adults are on the wing from May to October ref|flight_season. This moth flies mainly at night and is attracted to light and sugar. It may often be seen during the day at rest on fences and garden foliage.The larva is green or brown with reddish spots along the sides and faint dark chevrons along the back. It feeds on a wide variety of plants (see list below). This species overwinters as a larva.

There is a similar related moth called the Small Angle Shades, "Euplexia lucipara".

Recorded food plants

*"Aeonium"
*"Anemone"
*"Apium" - Celery
*"Basil"
*"Beta" - Beet
*"Betula" - Birch
*"Brassica"
*"Centranthus" - Red Valerian
*"Chrysanthemum"
*"Cynara" - Globe Artichoke
*"Dahlia"
*"Fragaria" - Strawberry
*"Hedera" - Ivy
*"Helianthus" - Sunflower
*"Humulus" - Hop
*"Lactuca" - Lettuce
*"Lamium" - Deadnettle
*"Malus" - Apple
*"Nicotiana" - Tobacco
*"Pelargonium"
*"Prunus"
*"Pyrus" - Pear
*"Quercus" - Oak
*"Rubus" - Bramble
*"Rumex" - Dock
*"Senecio"
*"Solanum"
*"Spinacia" - Spinach
*"Stellaria"
*"Urtica" - Nettle
*"Vicia"
*"Vitis" - Grape

References

*Chinery, Michael "Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe" 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
*Skinner, Bernard "Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles" 1984