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Insects of Britain and Ireland

L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz

Melanism exemplified in moths of Britain and Ireland

Oecophoridae: Diurnea fagella (March Dagger)

Oecophoridae image

Diurnea fagella (March Dagger).

4 Males and 2 females, exemplifying specimens collected in the same year from one woodland locality. About half were dusky or clearly melanic, including the females with their vestigial wings: probably representing drift to industrial melanism.

Ballington Wood, Leek, Staffs., March 1956 (L. Watson).


Revised 11 May 2019


Melanism in moths – general information