102 " [October, 



MELANISM IN BIKMINGHAM AND SOUTH DEVON. 

 BY R. C. R. JORDAN, M.D. 



In the following comparative list of inelanic species which occur 

 in Birmingham and Teignmouth, the term melanism is confined to 

 cases where the whole anterior wing is suffused with black, or at least 

 a much darker hue than usual. 



Agrotis segetwm — anterior wings entirely black. This form is more common at 

 Teignmouth than at Birmingham. The explanation of this seems to be that it is 

 much more frequent in the second brood, which occasionally occurs in the south, but 

 is here unknown. 



Miselia oxyacanthce — anterior wings a dark blackish-umber. As far as my 

 experience goes, unknown in the south ; at Birmingham occasional. 



Apamea oculea — the typical form is the commonest in both places ; but the 

 black form {lug ens), with or without the white stigma, occurs occasionally. 



Miana strigilis — the form cethiops is occasional at Teignmouth, but almost the 

 only form at Birmingham. 



Tceniocampa incerta — anterior wings black. Not rare at Birmingham; at 

 Teignmouth unknown. 



Hibernia progemmaria — male, with the anterior wings entirely sooty-black ; 

 female, rudimentary wings deep black. Occasional at Birmingham ; at Teignmouth' 

 unknown. The usual southern form of progemmaria is always much lighter in hue 

 than the Birmingham specimens. 



Amphidasis betularia — all the wings deep black. Occasional at Birmingham ; 

 unknown in South Devon. 



Oporabia dilutata — anterior wings entirely greyish -fuscous. Frequent at Bir- 

 mingham ; I have no specimens from South Devon. 



Ypsipetes sordidata — anterior wings entirely dark fuscous. Occurs in both 

 localities ; more frequent at Birmingham. 



Steganoptyoha ncBvana — anterior wings deep blackish-umber. Not rare at Bir- 

 mingham ; at Teignmouth unknown. 



Hedya ocellana — the form with the anterior wings entirely black. Occurs in 

 both localities. 



Dictyopteryx contaminana — as far as I have seen, the form with the anterior 

 wings unicolorous brown {rhombana) occurs only at Birmingham. 



Peronea variegana — a form with the anterior wings black, having a steel-grey 

 gloss, and no marks except the raised scales. Occurs occasionally at Birming- 

 ham only. 



Pceeilochroma corticana — anterior wings velvety -black, with a green shade. 

 Occurs at Birmingham ; at Teignmouth the insect is always green or greyish-green 

 with darker markings. I have once taken the form of Lophoderus ministranus, 

 called ferruganus at Birmingham, but only once. 



Diurnea fagella — occurs near Birmingham with the anterior wings, of the male 

 grey, instead of cream colour, the markings being, however, usually preserved. The 

 rudimentary wings of the female are often deep black. 



