Identification

Only separable from Rufous Minor and Tawny Marbled Minor by examination of the genitalia.

Record undissected specimens as Marbled Minor agg. (Oligia strigilis agg.)

Recording Method.

Attracted to light, also comes to sugar.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a larva during August to May, feeding inside a stem of grass. Pupation takes place among the roots of grasses.

Larval foodplants

A variety of grasses.

Habitat

A wide variety of grassy areas.

History

Lennon (1863) had found it common around the Dumfries area. Douglas Robinson (1870-71) had found it very abundant and variable on Almorness (VC73) in July. Gordon (1913) had found it common at sugar at Corsemalzie in June, with var. aethiops occurring commonly. Presumably he meant the darker variety. Earliest date was 15th June 1901. Due to the difficulty of separating Oligia species the text above is as it was recorded but is to be treated with caution.