Small Angle Shades
Common NameSmall Angle Shades
Scientific NameEuplexia lucipara
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyXyleninae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsdark brown, black, ochre
HabitatWoodlands, gardens, hedgerows, parks, and other vegetated areas
Geographic RangeWidespread across Europe, parts of Asia, and North America
Host Plantsbracken, dock, plantain, bramble, honeysuckle, various herbaceous plants
Flight PeriodMay to August (sometimes a partial second brood in September/October)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid on host plants, and the larvae are typically green or brown with a pale stripe along the side. They pupate in the soil, often overwintering as pupae before emerging as adults the following spring.
Identification TipsLook for the characteristic pale, angled patch on the forewing, which is the most distinctive feature. The overall bark-like, mottled pattern of dark browns, blacks, and ochres also aids in identification.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled dark brown, black, and ochre forewings, featuring a distinctive pale, angled patch near the apex that gives it its common name. Its cryptic coloration provides excellent camouflage against tree bark.
