The Angle Shades caterpillar, the larval stage of the Phlogophora meticulosa moth, is generally harmless to both people and common household pets. While they are sometimes considered a pest, their impact on cultivated plants is usually mild in a home garden setting.
Identifying the Angle Shades Caterpillar
The Angle Shades caterpillar displays significant color variability, ranging from bright green to various shades of brown or pinkish-brown. Individuals reach up to 45 millimeters in length when fully grown, with color often relating to their diet and the time of year.
A defining feature is their smooth skin, which lacks the dense, stinging hairs found on some other moth species. The body is marked by a fine, pale dorsal line and a broader, pale band extending along the side above the legs. Some variants may also show faint, V-shaped markings or reddish spots. These caterpillars are often found actively feeding, especially during the late summer and autumn, and even during mild periods in winter.
Safety Profile for People and Animals
The primary concern regarding caterpillar safety centers on the presence of urticating, or stinging, hairs and the production of venom. Angle Shades caterpillars pose no significant biological hazard because they lack urticating hairs, venom, or any specialized stinging apparatus. Direct contact, such as handling the caterpillar, will not result in a rash, sting, or allergic reaction.
The risk of toxicity from ingestion is also considered negligible for this species. The Phlogophora meticulosa is not listed as venomous or toxic and does not carry the chemical defenses that make certain other caterpillars dangerous if eaten by pets. Therefore, accidental ingestion by a curious dog or cat is unlikely to lead to a serious medical emergency. Overall, the Angle Shades caterpillar is classified as non-toxic and does not pose a health risk to humans or domestic animals through contact or ingestion.
Angle Shades Caterpillars as Garden Pests
While not a direct threat, the Angle Shades caterpillar can be a concern in a garden setting due to its impact on plants. This species is polyphagous, meaning its diet includes a wide variety of cultivated crops and wild plants. They consume the foliage and flowers of numerous herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees, including common garden staples like dock, nettle, and bramble.
The damage manifests as holes eaten into leaves and sometimes includes the destruction of unopened flower buds. Larvae are active for a large part of the year, often overwintering and feeding whenever the temperature is above freezing. In a typical home garden, the population rarely grows large enough to cause irreparable damage or require aggressive control measures. Gardeners usually tolerate the minor, localized feeding damage, as the caterpillars are an important food source for other wildlife in the ecosystem.