Marbled Minor vs St Mark's Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Marbled Minor St Mark's Fly
Scientific Name Oligia strigilis Bibio johannis
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Noctuidae Bibionidae
Size 24-28 mm wingspan 6-10mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Root Feeders Root Feeders
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Marbled Minor

A small, cryptically marked moth that is extremely variable in pattern. Part of a complex of similar-looking species that can only be reliably separated by dissection.

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Did You Know?

Part of a notoriously difficult species complex where three species look almost identical.

St Mark's Fly

A small black fly that swarms in May. Males have large heads with huge eyes that almost meet on top.

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Did You Know?

Often confused with the larger Bibio marci but emerges slightly later and has entirely dark legs.