This is an ink and watercolor study of the Erasmia Pulchella moth. This small, tropical moth is found through southeast Asia. It's also known as satsuma-nishiki in Japan and double star firefly moth in China. Shown in the background is the Helicia cochinchinensis plant, on which the moth's larvae is dependant. This moth's most striking feature is vivid blue/green iridescent scales that highlights its wings. This fine art print includes an final extra step of hand painting these iridescent details onto the surface to accurately portray the moth's color pattern. 
 
This drawing is of a specimen in the renowned James May collection in Colorado, caught in India in 1905. Even though the speciman was collected 120 years ago, the colors are still as vibrant as when it was first mounted.
 
If you aren’t familiar with the May Natural History Museum, it houses one of the largest private bug collections in the world. All were collected and preserved by a single individual who spent nearly all his life traveling and collecting bugs from, primarily, the topics. Some of the bugs are very rare, including a number that are now critically endangered or extinct. The museum has approx. 7000 specimens on permanent view, though according to the docent, less than 10% of the total collection is on display.
 
This giclée print is printed on rich archival matte paper. The drawing was meticulously created using careful layers of tiny ink dots and watercolor. It represents more than 13 hours of patient work, and the print is virtually indistinguishable from the original! 
 
PLEASE NOTE: the hand painted details of this print require a slightly longer lead time. You may expect your print to be shipped 4-6 business days after you order.