| Small angle shades | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Euplexia |
| Species: | E. lucipara |
| Binomial name | |
| Euplexia lucipara (Linnaeus, 1758) |
|
The small angle shades (Euplexia lucipara) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed throughout Europe.
As the common name suggests, this species is closely related to the angle shades (Phlogophora meticulosa), and is considerably smaller (wingspan 30-35 mm), but does not especially resemble that species. The forewings are dark brown with a broad, pale subterminal band, wider and paler towards the costa. The hindwings are whitish at the base, graduating to brown at the margins. This species flies at night in June and July, with a second generation sometimes emerging in September [1]. It is attracted to light and sugar.
The larvae often feed on ferns and the species is usually associated with these plants, but it has been recorded feeding on a range of other plants (see list below). The species overwinters as pupae.