Gene Jarvis: Alcidis aurora Moth

Artist: Gene Jarvis
1921 - 1990
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1979
Image Size: 9.5 by 9 inches
Overall Size: 12.75 by 12.5 inches
Medium: Pen and Ink on Hot Press Illustration Board

Displaying a brilliant array of colors ranging from bright pink to green and white, Alcidis aurora is thought by many to be the most beautiful species in the world. As if conscious of its splendor among moths, ths insect habitually flies in the sunshine. It is a member of the Uraniidae family. In Greek mythology, Uranus was the husband of the Earth Goddess and the father of Saturn. It is thought that the scientist who called this family of moths Uraniidae was probably moved by its almost heavenly presence. Found in Papua New Guinea, and some of the small islands in that region, Alcidis aurora flies above small streams and along bird-filled, forest-fringed beaches. Fortunately, it has body fluids which are distasteful to birds and is, therefore, seldom bothered by them. Alcidis aurora Moths belong to the genus Alcides. All eleven species of this genus are beautifully colored, and most, like Alcidis aurora, have swallow tails. The irridescent or metallic features of their wings are known as structural colors. Sporting the "urania type" of structural coloration, Alcidis aurora have scales thickened by a number of superimposed layers actually lying in the thickness of the scale and not on ridges standing out from it. The coloration is not due to pigments which absorb certain wavelengths and reflect others, but rather, it is due to the very minute structures which refract and reflect different wavelengths in different directions.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Papua New Guinea Alcidis aurora stamp issued August 29, 1979.

Artwork Copyright © 1979 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): XB05775

US$ Price: $950.00

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