7 July 2013

7 July 2013 – Dwarves Among Moths.

Middle-barred Minor (Oligia fasciuncula)

The Middle-barred Minor (Oligia fasciuncula) is one of three Minors that have been attracted to the light trap here recently. The other two are the Marbled Minor and the Tawny Marbled Minor. The Minors, Oligia from oligos ‘small,’ are named so because of their small stature. One of these is probably a fourth of the size of the Large Yellow Underwing from yesterday’s post. They are like the dwarves of moths, but they aren’t nearly as small as the micro-moths. The Middle-barred Minor is distinctive because of its middle band, or fascia, and a white line that borders the bottom of that band. The termination -unculus yet again referring to ‘minor.’

Middle-barred Minor (Oligia fasciuncula)

– Post by Jane Wu