Rufous Minor
Oligia versicolor
This record describes Oligia versicolor (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 22 to 28mm. This is one three moths which look very similar and its identity should only be confirmed by dissection. The wings of this species can have a reddish tinge. Woodland, heathland, other grassy areas. It is found flying in mid June to mid July and comes to light. Overwinters as a larva. Pupates in a flimsy cocoon inside the roots of its foodplant grasses such as Cock's-foot. The species has a wide distribution in Britain, with some records from Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
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
Woodland, heathland, other grassy areas.
Seasonal Activity
It is found flying in mid June to mid July and comes to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Overwinters as a larva. Pupates in a flimsy cocoon inside the roots of its foodplant grasses such as Cock's-foot.
Additional species information
Recorded status
The species has a wide distribution in Britain, with some records from Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Oligia versicolor. 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 Rufous Minor (5)
Frequently Asked Questions About Rufous Minor
What is Rufous Minor?
Rufous Minor (Oligia versicolor) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Rufous Minor found?
Habitat: Woodland, heathland, other grassy areas.
When is Rufous Minor active?
Rufous Minor: seasonal activity - It is found flying in mid June to mid July and comes to light..
What is the life cycle of a Rufous Minor?
Overwinters as a larva. Pupates in a flimsy cocoon inside the roots of its foodplant grasses such as Cock's-foot.