Phegea53-1. An extremely melanistic form of <i>M</i><i>elanargia</i><i> galathea</i> (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae).

During a Balkan trip in June/July 2023, a very striking colour form of <i>Melanargia galathea </i>(Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae), the Marbled White, was observed. Despite the occasional appearance of melanistic colour forms amongst animals, this complete dark colour form within butterflies is rather rare. In itself, this is not spectacular news in the world of butterflies, but it is an interesting observation.