Moths of
Britain and Europe
Angle Shades
Phlogophora
meticulosa
LINNAEUS, 1758
Family -
NOCTUIDAE
subfamily -
AMPHIPYRINAE
Tribe -
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
|
 |
|
Angle Shades
moth Phlogophora meticulosa, Hampshire, England |
Introduction
The
Noctuidae is by far the largest family of Lepidoptera, with over 35,000 species
currently known to science, and another estimated 60,000 species still awaiting
discovery, mostly in the rainforests and cloudforests of Amazonia, where a single night's moth-trapping can result in the discovery of 30
or 40 "new" species.
In Europe there are about 1,450 species, of
which just over 400 occur in the British Isles. About 108 of these are placed
within the subfamily Amphipyrinae, a group that includes the Arches, Brindles,
Minors, Rustics and the Angle Shades.
Most Noctuids have cryptically patterned
uppersides which provide them with excellent camouflage. Some are patterned to
resemble patches of tree bark or lichen. The Angle Shades is disguised as a bit
of curled up decaying leaf, an illusion exaggerated by the posture of the moth,
which crinkles its wings into folds when at rest. The disguise is so effective
that the moth is almost impossible to find unless it happens to settle on a
fence or a leaf. The moth depicted above was accidentally disturbed when I
tripped against the fallen branch under which it had been hiding, and saw it
crawl up onto the exposed side of the branch where it remained for a few seconds
before running underneath again.
Phlogophora meticulosa
is found across most of Europe.
Habitats
This species is found in a wide variety of habitats including woodlands, scrubby
grassland, fallow fields, meadows, pastures, along roadsides and hedgerows, and
in parks and gardens.
Lifecycle
The larva occurs in 2 colour forms - pale green or pale reddish-brown, and feeds
on a wide variety of herbaceous plants. It can also be found on trees - birch,
oak, apple to name just a few.
Adult behaviour
This is a widespread and common species, and is most frequently
encountered when it settles on garden foliage, or on fences, at
which time it's disguise is non-effective and can easily be
spotted.
If disturbed while at rest, the moths tend to run into crevices or
into undergrowth, rather than attempting to fly, a habit shared
with a number of other Noctuids.
|
