Tawny Marbled Minor       Middle-barred Minor
Rufous Minor - Noctuidae - Oligia versicolor
73.175 BF2338  – Rufous Minor  – Oligia versicolor  – (Borkhausen, 1792)
Adult Macro:  CAT 4 – Dissection required – Dissection required      
PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
Blue –  Generally Common / Widespread   
Taxonomy:   Macro  >>.  >>  Noctuidae  >> Xyleninae
ID Difficulty:  Red – difficult to identify – detailed examination required, often a Gen Det and/or specimen and quality photographs are required.
Confusion Species: Marbled Minor, Tawny Marbled Minor
ID pointers: Highly variable. A small medium sized moth, along with Marbled and Tawny Marbled Minors, are so difficult to separate, conclusive ID can only be determined by examination of the genitalia. However, Rufous is generally smaller than Marbled, the forewing is slightly broader and more rounded with a gently arched leading edge (costa). Often the oval and kidney marks are pale brown and conspicuous and forewing has pinkish or rosy tinges to otherwise reddish brown ground colour. There is also a reddish brown thoracic crest.
Distribution:  A resident that is common and widely distributed in Derbyshire. Well represented especially in the lowland areas of the county but separation can be difficult from other minors. 
General Comment: None Flight Period: June /  July /  August –  On the wing June – August. Moth Activity: Nocturnal  Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison, The late Claire Miles  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 22-28mm
Forewing: 11-12mm
Specific Recorded History Dates for Common [Blue code Blue-coded] moths is not displayed/updated in this tab. However, all verified records for this moth are listed in the RECORDS tab below.
Selected Images:  The Late Claire Miles © / Tony Davison ©

Rufous Minor - The late Clair Miles
Rufous Minor – 10th July 2022 – Gen Det on Rufous Minor – The late Claire Miles
Rufous Minor - The late Claire Miles
Rufous Minor – 10th July 2022 – Hathersage – The late Claire Miles
Rufous Minor - Noctuidae - Oligia versicolor
Rufous Minor – Tony Davison
Rufous Minor - The late Clair Miles
Rufous Minor - The late Claire Miles
Rufous Minor - Noctuidae - Oligia versicolor


Image Gallery

Rufous Minor - Melbourne Tony Davison ©

Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1983 - 2024)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)

Distribution Map for Oligia versicolor

Found 61 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 3 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 58 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

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Bedrock Geology ** indirectly affects moth distribution by influencing the type of habitat and food plants available in an area. In turn, this may affect the types of moths that can thrive, or where they can most likely be found.


NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Oligia versicolor

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Note – the NBN Atlas datasets are listed in the map below and vary in their currency (uptodateness) – however, the map does give a general indication of the moth's distribution across the UK.

Visit NBN Site


Monthly Records By Year: Oligia versicolor
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Monthly Counts By Year: Oligia versicolor
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )

First/Last Recorded Dates: Oligia versicolor
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]

Shading shows moth presence between dates

Click the colour discs below to Select/De-select as Required

Recordings By Year: Oligia versicolor
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Oligia versicolor
AGR: -1.91%   |   Total % Change: -33.3%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Oligia versicolor
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Oligia versicolor

Flight Period chart – the grey hatched area above, which can cross one or more months, pictorially represents the best guess we have for this moth's flight periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen in flight, from site observation records received between 2020-2026.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Oligia versicolor – 61 records available

Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns

Site NameTetradDateCountStageRecorderSourceRecordKey
Birch ValeSK08I26/07/20241adultHewitt, Janevc57_irecords_extractiBRC39755378
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F10/07/20221adultMiles, Clairevc57_irecords_extractiBRC29158770
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F26/06/20211adultMiles, Clairevc57_irecords_extractiBRC29594936
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X11/06/20173AdultB.J.N. Hillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPYZ3
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X10/06/20172AdultB.J.N. Hillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WQJT3
Station Quarry, Chee DaleSK17G25/07/20164AdultSteve Orridge;S.H. Hindvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPZSX
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N25/07/20131AdultBarnacle, Brianvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKBDU
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N25/07/20131AdultB. Barnacle;K. Barnaclevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP42V
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N13/07/20131AdultBarnacle, Brianvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJWVJ
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N13/07/20131AdultB. Barnacle;K. Barnaclevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPJPC
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R12/07/20131AdultA. Butlervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OLBRS
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R12/07/20131AdultA. Butlervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPJNR
Dovedale (Ilam Tops)SK15L10/08/20091AdultM.J. Dalevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OK2IY
Dovedale (Ilam Tops)SK15L10/08/20091AdultM.J. Dalevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKPLI
West Park Meadows (LNR),SpondonSK33Y10/07/20091AdultBUDWORTH, Mr D., WARD, Mr N.J., MILLAR, Mr J.C.G.,vc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKOS7
Glossop (Shire Hill Quarry)SK09M22/07/20083AdultColin Plantvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKKV2
Melbourne, DerbyshireSK32X24/06/20061adultDavison, Tonyvc57_irecords_extractiBRC33528798
Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South DarleySK26Q23/06/20061AdultR. Hawksworthvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHT00
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N16/07/20051AdultB. Barnacle;D. Brownvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ9WT
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N16/07/20051AdultB. Barnacle;D Brown;K. Barnaclevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPVBC
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T09/07/20051AdultJ. Culpinvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OICM6
Back Lane, GlapwellSK46T09/07/20051AdultJ. Culpinvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WOVJ0
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y01/07/20056AdultSoar, Willvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ99O
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y27/06/20058AdultSoar, Willvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ955
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S07/08/20041AdultM.E. Bradleyvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI5PI
Pleasley Pit (Hardwick Copse)SK46X07/08/20043AdultM.E. Bradleyvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI5PW
Pleasley Pit (run-offs)SK46X07/08/20043AdultC. Stubbs;M.J. Stubbsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI5Q8
Pleasley Pit (Wetland Wood)SK46X07/08/20041AdultM.E. Bradleyvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ7LD
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S28/07/20041AdultM.E. Bradleyvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ74N
Blackrocks,CromfordSK25X24/07/20042AdultC. Stubbs;M.J. Stubbsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ6WW
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V21/07/20042AdultTopliss, Neilvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI5GI
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V19/07/20041AdultTopliss, Neilvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI5FQ
Newboundmill Lane,PleasleySK56C18/07/20041AdultC. Stubbs;M.J. Stubbsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHQEQ
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R18/07/20041AdultRoddis, Simonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI5EN
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R17/07/20041AdultRoddis, Simonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ6JD
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V13/07/20041AdultTopliss, Neilvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ6D4
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V29/06/20041AdultTopliss, Neilvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ63R
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V27/06/20041AdultTopliss, Neilvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ61V
Kings Newton Fields (farm)SK32Y11/07/20033AdultDavison, Tonyvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIBV5
Melbourne, DerbyshireSK32X09/07/20031adultDavison, Tonyvc57_irecords_extractiBRC33099515
Spinney Hill,MelbourneSK32X09/07/20031AdultDavison, Tonyvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHP4X
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R21/06/20031AdultRoddis, Simonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIBTT
Ivy Cottage, YoulgreaveSK26C28/07/19981AdultJulian Clarkevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHNXT
Dowey Lumb NR, DronfieldSK38Q25/07/19971AdultH.E. Beaumont;R.F. Botterillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ0MY
Dowey Lumb NR, DronfieldSK38Q25/07/19971AdultH.E. Beaumont;R.F. Botterillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPOY4
Pond House, Mapperley Res, IlkestonSK44G25/06/19926AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIW68
Pond House, Mapperley Res, IlkestonSK44G25/06/19926AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WOMUC
Pond House, Mapperley Res, IlkestonSK44G18/06/19922AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIW2W
Pond House, Mapperley Res, IlkestonSK44G18/06/19922AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP059
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F14/07/19841AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIQRL
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F14/07/19841AdultR.H. Dumelowvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPJD8
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F12/07/19841AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHITX
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F12/07/19841AdultR.H. Dumelowvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WOMYP
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F05/07/19841AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHZ3Q
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F05/07/19841AdultR.H. Dumelowvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WQ3W4
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F26/06/19841AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHZ29
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F26/06/19841AdultR.H. Dumelowvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WQ3V5
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F24/06/19841AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIQKV
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F24/06/19841AdultR.H. Dumelowvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WQ3UN
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F17/07/19831AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIPZT
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F17/07/19831AdultR.H. Dumelowvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP14C

Tawny Marbled Minor       Middle-barred Minor

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