Gordon Beningfield: Map Butterfly

Artist: Gordon Beningfield
1936 - 1998
Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1985
Image Size: 6 by 7 inches
Overall Size: 11.5 by 12.5 inches
Medium: Water Color on Cold Press Illustration Board

The small, European, Map Butterfly owes its name to map-like patterns on the undersides of its wings. It is the only European species in which the female lays its eggs in long chains or strings. Just prior to pupation, the caterpillar attaches itself upside down on a silken pad. Remarkably, the color of the butterfly that emerges from the pupa depends upon climatological or seasonal factors. In the spring variety of levana the upper sides of the wings are brownish orange with black markings, while those of the summer version, prosa, are dark with white bands. Members of the same genotype, these two Map butterflies differ so radically that they have been described as separate species. The reason for the difference in wing coloraiton is the length of daylight. The spring levana evolves from a larva that develops during short autumn days, while prosa, on the other hand, evolves froma larva which develops during long summer days.

This painting was originally published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands Butterflies of the World 80¢ Map Butterfly stamp issued February 22, 2001.

Artwork Copyright © 1985 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): Sold

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