Beetle wings

Today Jane & I went to Smallhythe Place, the home of Ellen Terry; now owned by National Trust.
Ellen's daughter made lots of dresses for her Mum; a dress she made had Beetlewings sewn onto it.
I was cross to think they killed lots of Beetles for the wings, but I was wrong, the Beetles shed their wings.

The Beetle Wings used to adorn the dress came from India, Burma & Thailand. The Beetles shed their wings naturally & then can be collected for use in the Fashion Industry.
They give the dress an iridescent sheen & would have sparkled under the limelight at the Lyceum.
This was written in the Cottage near to the Beetlewing Dress.