This marker on the Cambridge Butterfly Trail is at Histon Road recreation ground – see the map above.

The Angle shades moth is one of the most distinctive moths in the UK, easily recognised by its striking, folded-wing appearance that resembles a withered autumn leaf. This clever camouflage allows it to blend into leaf litter by day, avoiding predators.

Active from May to October, and sometimes even during mild winters, it is frequently drawn to light, making it a common visitor to gardens. Unlike many moths, the Angle shades can be seen feeding on nectar at dusk or resting on walls and fences.

Its caterpillars feed on a wide range of plants including nettle, dock, and many garden species, making it well adapted to urban and rural habitats. Adults are highly mobile, and while resident populations exist in the south, the species is also bolstered by migrants arriving from continental Europe.

For more information, please visit Butterfly Conservation’s page on this species – Angle shades.