Das Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels

ist ein Forschungsmuseum der Leibniz Gemeinschaft

Entomological studies of Maria Sibylla Merian

AutorInnen: 
Schmidt-Loske, K., Etheridge, K.
Erscheinungsjahr: 
2022
Vollständiger Titel: 
The Transition Stage. Merian's Studies of Pupa, Chrysalis, and Cocoon.
ZFMK-Autorinnen / ZFMK-Autoren: 
Org. Einordnung: 
Publiziert in: 
"leibniz" - Magazin der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft
Publikationstyp: 
Buchkapitel
Keywords: 
insects, history of science, Maria Sibylla Merian
Bibliographische Angaben: 
Schmidt-Loske, K., Etheridge, K. (2022): The Transition Stage. Merian's Studies of Pupa, Chrysalis, and Cocoon. - In: Etheridge, K., Pieters, F., van Delft, M., van de Roemer, B., Mulder, H. (eds.): Maria Sibylla Merian: Changing the Nature of Art and Science. - Lannoo (Tielt). pp. 98-110.
Abstract: 

The phrase “wondrous transformation of caterpillars,” which Merian employed in her early book titles, begins in all lepidopterans with the change from larval into the pupal stage. Within this small capsule, the final metamorphosis into the adult stage occurs, a process that is still not fully understood. In addition to portraying the color, form, texture, and other physical traits of pupae, Merian described the timing of pupation for each species of moth or butterfly and where she found them. The variety in pupae can be astounding, and she was the first to represent such a wide range, doing so for almost three hundred species of insects from both Europe and Suriname. Herein we will discuss Merian’s description and depiction of a variety of pupal types, the earliest and most wide-ranging investigation of its type.

Ansprechpartnerin / Ansprechpartner

Leiterin Biohistoricum
+49 228 9122-269
+49 228 9122-212
K.Schmidt-Loske [at] leibniz-lib.de