Noctuidae

73.114 Small Angle Shades Euplexia lucipara (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common

Similar species: This moth is unlikely to be mistaken for any other British or Irish species.

Forewing: 14 to 17mm

Habitats: Woodland, parkland, moorland, heathland and gardens.

Habits: The moth nectars at flowers, comes to sugar and is attracted to light.

Foodplant: The polyphagous larva feeds nocturnally on Bracken, Male Fern and other ferns, but also on Foxglove, willowherbs, Common Nettle, mallows and other herbaceous plants, as well as trees and shrubs such as Ivy, currants, birches, sallows and oaks. It spends the day resting under a leaf or in the leaf litter. It pupates under the soil.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Deadly Nightshade, Wood Ragwort, Enchanter's Nightshade, dead-nettles and Meadowsweet.