Species Details

Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

IdentificationA medium-small moth (approx. 2.6-3.2 cm wingspan), females larger than males. Adults are quite variable, ranging from mostly brown-black specimens to light rusty-tan ones, the later most common. Typical specimens have light rusty-tan forewings, shading to sooty brown along the leading edge, in the median area and in an irregular terminal band. A few dark scales indicate the normal lines and spots where they cross the veins, giving the moth a lightly speckled appearance. The reniform is white, with a few dark scales in the center and stands out against the darker ground. Hindwings are light sooty brown with a faint lighter median line. Antennae simple and sexes similar. Specimens largely suffused with darker brown or blackish scales can usually still be identified by the contrasting light reniform. Condica videns occurs in similar habitat, but has pale hindwings and lacks the speckled appearance of fractilinea.

Scientific Name Oligia fractilinea Habitat grasslands region, and in particular dunes areas Identification
A medium-small moth (approx. 2.6-3.2 cm wingspan), females larger than males. Adults are quite variable, ranging from mostly brown-black specimens to light rusty-tan ones, the later most common. Typical specimens have…
A medium-small moth (approx. 2.6-3.2 cm wingspan), females larger than males. Adults are quite variable, ranging from mostly brown-black specimens to light rusty-tan ones, the later most common. Typical specimens have light rusty-tan forewings, shading to sooty brown along the leading edge, in the median area and in an irregular terminal band. A few dark scales indicate the normal lines and spots where they cross the veins, giving the moth a lightly speckled appearance. The reniform is white, with a few dark scales in the center and stands out against the darker ground. Hindwings are light sooty brown with a faint lighter median line. Antennae simple and sexes similar. Specimens largely suffused with darker brown or blackish scales can usually still be identified by the contrasting light reniform. Condica videns occurs in similar habitat, but has pale hindwings and lacks the speckled appearance of fractilinea.
Life History
Oligia fractilinea is single-brooded with adults flying in mid to late summer. Adults come to both light and sugar bait. The larvae, from whence comes the common name, are borers in the stems of grasses, in particular…
Oligia fractilinea is single-brooded with adults flying in mid to late summer. Adults come to both light and sugar bait. The larvae, from whence comes the common name, are borers in the stems of grasses, in particular Timothy (Phleum pratensis), and in the east are sometimes a serious pest in young corn (Zea).
Diet Info The larvae, from whence comes the common name, are borers in the stems of grasses, in particular Timothy (Phleum pratensis), and in the east are sometimes a serious pest in young corn (Zea). Range
Widespread in southeastern and southern North America, from New Brunswick west to Alberta, south to Florida and Arizona. In Alberta fractilinea is restricted to the grasslands region, and in particular dunes areas. It…
Widespread in southeastern and southern North America, from New Brunswick west to Alberta, south to Florida and Arizona. In Alberta fractilinea is restricted to the grasslands region, and in particular dunes areas. It has been collected north to Edgerton and west to Lethbridge.
Notes
Here in Alberta at the northwestern edge of its range, O. fractilinea is a rather uncommon moth found mainly in sand dunes and other warm xeric habitats. It is noteworthy for the variable appearance of the adults, and…
Here in Alberta at the northwestern edge of its range, O. fractilinea is a rather uncommon moth found mainly in sand dunes and other warm xeric habitats. It is noteworthy for the variable appearance of the adults, and small very dark specimens in particular have left us puzzled on more than one occasion. The valve of the male genitalia in particular is distinctive and useful in identifying such specimens

Citation

Page Citation for Oligia fractilinea

Page Citation

"Species Details - Oligia fractilinea, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6085. Accessed 05 Oct. 2024.

Specimen Information

There are 61 specimens of this Species.

61 results plotted on map in 20 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM129593 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Great Sand Hills Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine Date Collected2003-07-29

UASM129594 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Great Sand Hills Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine Date Collected2003-07-29

UASM129595 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Great Sand Hills Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine Date Collected2003-07-29

UASM129596 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Great Sand Hills Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine Date Collected2003-07-29

UASM129597 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Great Sand Hills Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine Date Collected2003-07-29

UASM129598 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Great Sand Hills Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine Date Collected2003-07-29

UASM129599 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Great Sand Hills Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine Date Collected2003-07-29

UASM129600 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Great Sand Hills Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine Date Collected2003-07-29

UASM129601 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Great Sand Hills Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine Date Collected2003-07-29

UASM129602 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Great Sand Hills Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine Date Collected2003-07-29

UASM129603 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Great Sand Hills Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine Date Collected2003-07-29

UASM129604 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Great Sand Hills Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine Date Collected2003-07-29

UASM129605 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: Wyoming, Albany county, Laramie Collected ByFerris, C. Date Collected2000-07-30

UASM129606 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: Wyoming, Albany county, Laramie Collected ByFerris, C. Date Collected2000-07-30

UASM129607 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: Wyoming, Albany county, Laramie Collected ByFerris, C. Date Collected2000-07-30

UASM129608 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Burstall Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Anweiler, G. Date Collected2001-08-13

UASM129609 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: Wyoming, Albany county Collected ByFerris, C. Date Collected1999-08-21/1999-08-22

UASM129610 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: Wyoming, Albany county Collected ByFerris, C. Date Collected1999-08-16/1999-08-17

UASM188188 - Oligia fractilinea

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Chauvin Collected BySchmidt, C. Date Collected2004-07-25

Adult Seasonal Distribution