Middle-barred Minor (Oligia fasciuncula, (Haworth, 1809))

Noctuidae: Xyleninae

2340 (ABH73.176) Middle-barred Minor Oligia fasciuncula, (Haworth, 1809)

f. pallida, Great Staughton

Photo © Peter Bissell

f. pallida, Great Staughton

Photo © Peter Bissell

pre-2000

2000-2009

2010-2019

2020-onwards

Orange Form, Great Staughton

Photo © Peter Bissell

f. pallida, Great Staughton

Photo © Peter Bissell

Hemingford Grey

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

Hillesden, Bucks

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

Earith

Photo © David Griffiths

Earith

Photo © David Griffiths

Earith

Photo © David Griffiths

Earith

Photo © David Griffiths

General Information
This is quite a variable species in ground colour but nearly always with a diagnostic dark central bar edged in white.

Pupates on or close to the ground.
Overwinters as Overwinters as a larva.
Both sexes come to light.

Forewing length: 10-12mm.
Foodplant(s): Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa), grasses
Flying: One generation, June-July
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Damp grassland, marshes, water meadows, heathland, vegetated shingle, scrub, open woodland.

Regional Information

Recorded in 110 (40.7%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in August 2021

Recorded date range (Adult): 16 May to 20 August

Similar Species

Great Staughton

Cloaked Minor Mesoligia furuncula

Small Dotted Buff Photedes minima

Larva/Leafmine:

Larva Type:

Smooth

Colours:

Grey, pink, yellow, brown, black, orange

No. of Proleg Pairs:

2340 (ABH73.176) Middle-barred Minor Oligia fasciuncula, (Haworth, 1809)

KR09784