Middle-barred Minor
Oligia fasciuncula
This record describes Oligia fasciuncula (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 22-26 mm. Quite variable in ground colour but usually generally more rufous or sandy-coloured than the other 'Minors', with a white mark on the rear edge of the forewing where the postmedian line ends. Occupying marshes, river banks, damp flower meadows and damp woodland. It flies in June and July, when it visits sugar and light. The larvae, like other Oligia species, feed on different types of grass. A common species over most of Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Oligia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Occupying marshes, river banks, damp flower meadows and damp woodland.
Seasonal Activity
It flies in June and July, when it visits sugar and light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae, like other
Additional species information
Recorded status
A common species over most of Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Oligia fasciuncula. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Middle-barred Minor (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Middle-barred Minor
What is Middle-barred Minor?
Middle-barred Minor (Oligia fasciuncula) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Middle-barred Minor found?
Habitat: Occupying marshes, river banks, damp flower meadows and damp woodland.
When is Middle-barred Minor active?
Middle-barred Minor: seasonal activity - It flies in June and July, when it visits sugar and light..
What is the life cycle of a Middle-barred Minor?
The larvae, like other