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Insects of Britain and Ireland

L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz

Melanism exemplified in moths of Britain and Ireland

Zygaenidae: Adscita geryon (Cistus Forester)

Zygaenidae image

Adscita geryon (Cistus Forester), normal and melanic.

The lowermost, melanic specimen seems to have represented about 15% of the population (industrial melanism?) in a rural locality less than 15 miles from the heavily polluted, smog-ridden Manchester district. June 1952, Chee Dale, Buxton, Derbys. (J. Armitage).


Revised 11 May 2019


Melanism in moths – general information