Page 632 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Noctuidae
DISTRIBUTION Across Europe into Russia as far as the Urals; Turkey, Armenia,
Syria, and parts of North Africa
HABITAT Woodlands, scrub, grasslands, parks, and gardens
HOST PLANTS Wide range of low-growing plants, particularly White Dead
Nettle (Lamium album)
NOTE Plump, green caterpillar found in almost any European habitat
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common

ADULT WINGSPAN
1¾–2 in (45–50 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1¾ in (45 mm)
PHLOGOPHORA METICULOSA
ANGLE SHADES
630
(LINNAEUS, 1758)

The caterpillars of the Angle Shades moth hatch from pale

brown, slighty attened, and ridged eggs laid in clusters on the
leaves of a wide variety of host plants. The larvae feed mostly
on leaves, and those of the second generation overwinter and
become active again in spring. The mature caterpillars drop to

the ground, where they spin a imsy cocoon, either among the
leaf litter or in the soil. The pupa is chestnut brown in color.

The nocturnal Angle Shades moths, which are attracted to
light, are seen from May to October, and there are two or more
generations each year. During the day, they rest on fences, trees,
and shrubs, their disruptive coloration and wing shape giving
the appearance of a withered leaf, which provides excellent

camou age. This is a migrant species that can y long distances.
It is often seen in large numbers along coastlines.

The Angle Shades caterpillar is yellow green
with many tiny dots that create a mottled
appearance. The body has a broken, white dorsal
line, a broad, white lateral stripe, and widely
spaced short hairs. The head is dark green. Actual size
There is also a pink-brown variant.