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Giant African swallowtail, Papilio antimachus
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Giant African swallowtail, Papilio antimachus
Giant African swallowtail or antimachus butterfly, Papilio antimachus. Illustration drawn and engraved by Richard Polydore Nodder. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from George Shaw and Frederick Nodders The Naturalists Miscellany, London, 1802
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Media ID 23196542
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Butterfly Frederick Giant Lepidoptera Miscellany Naturalists Nodder Papilio Polydore Shaw Swallowtail
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This exquisite hand-colored copperplate engraving showcases the captivating beauty of the Giant African Swallowtail, also known as Papilio antimachus. The image, drawn and engraved by the skilled hands of Richard Polydore Nodder, was published in George Shaw and Frederick Nodder's renowned work, The Naturalist's Miscellany, in London, 1802. The Giant African Swallowtail is one of the largest butterflies in the world, native to the tropical regions of Africa. With a wingspan reaching up to 12 inches, this magnificent creature is a sight to behold. The intricate details of its wings are vividly depicted in this illustration, with their broad, yellow bands edged in black and red, and the distinctive white spots towards the wing tips. Butterflies, as part of the Lepidoptera order, are renowned for their metamorphosis from caterpillar to adult form. The Giant African Swallowtail undergoes this transformation in a remarkable fashion, with its caterpillar stage adorned with erythrocyte-like structures, which provide it with a false head and eyespots, serving as a defense mechanism against predators. This illustration is not only a testament to the natural history of the Giant African Swallowtail but also a reflection of the artistic mastery of the Nodder family and their collaborators. The intricate engraving and delicate hand-coloring techniques bring the butterfly to life, allowing us to appreciate its beauty and complexity in a way that words alone cannot convey.
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