1744 August Johann Roesel von Rosenhof copperplate art and engraving with his own handcolouring and plate correction. From \Der monatlich-herausgekomm
1744 August Johann Roesel von Rosenhof copperplate art and engraving with his own handcolouring and plate correction. From \Der monatlich-herausgekommenen Insecten-Belustigungen Erste Sammlung\" (Insect Amusements) Rosenhof was a miniature painter who became fascinated by the work of Maria Sibylla Merian and decided to emulate her. His entomology art work is one of the finest of the 18th Century, as demonstrated by this print of the Death's Head Hawkmoth larvae, pupa and faeces, (Acherontia atropos). It shows the larvae in movement and a defensive natural pose. This species, whose larvae will feed on solanacea leaves (including potato), used to be a regular visitor to bee hives of Apis melifera where it raids for honey. The adult moth mimics the scent of honey bees to reduce attack and is covered in dense hairlike scales. See other plate for adult moth."
Size: 3707px × 4715px
Photo credit: © PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 18th, acherontia, art, artwork, aurelian, bee, caterpillar, century, deaths, entomology, hawk, head, illustration, larvae, lifecycle, merian, metamorphosis, mimicry, moth, pupae, scientific
