Red Admiral Metamorphsis, Maria Merian, 1705

Red Admiral Metamorphsis, Maria Merian, 1705

The metamorphosis of the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), showing the caterpillar, eggs, early and late instar, chrysalis, and butterfly. The caterpillar feeds on nettles, and the adult drinks from flowering plants like the Buddleia and overripe fruit. Illustration by Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) from her book "Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium (Insects of Surinam)." Maria Sibylla Merian was a German-born naturalist and scientific illustrator. After living in the Dutch colony of Surinam for two years, she published her major work, Insects of Surinam, in 1705, for which she became famous. Because of her careful observations and documentation of the metamorphosis of the butterfly, she is considered among the most significant contributors to the field of entomology. Merian was one of the first naturalists to observe insects directly. The pursuit of her work in Surinam was an unusual endeavor, especially for a woman. Scientific expeditions at this period of time were not common, and Merian's unofficial, self-funded expedition raised many eyebrows. She succeeded, however, in discovering a whole range of previously unknown animals and plants in the interior of Surinam.

Album / Science Source / Getty Research Inst.

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2820 x 3780 px | 30.5 MB

23.9 x 32.0 cm | 9.4 x 12.6 in (300 dpi)