The caterpillars of this moth can cause damage to plants at all times of the year.
Hosts
A wide range of herbaceous and woody plants.
Symptoms
Holes are eaten in foliage and flowers, including unopened flower buds, especially on chrysanthemums. Young growth at the tips of shoots is particularly favoured. The caterpillars are up to 45mm long and vary in colour from brownish yellow to bright green. They hide during the day, emerging to feed at night.
Biology
The angle shades moth has two generations a year. Eggs are laid on a wide range of wild and cultivated plants in late May to June and August to October. Larvae of the second generation overwinter and can feed whenever night temperatures are above 5ºC (41ºF). They pupate in the soil when fully grown.
Control
Torch-light inspections of damaged plants on mild nights will reveal caterpillars that can be removed by hand. If infestations are too heavy for hand picking, control can be achieved by spraying at dusk with bifenthrin (Bayer Sprayday Greenfly Killer Plus, Scotts Bug Clear Gun or Doff All In One Garden Pest Killer). The older caterpillars are more tolerant of pesticides than young larvae.