Plusiotis victorina Beetle Woman, 2015, acrylic on wood, 32 x 22 cm |
The Homo-insecta Plusiotis victorina Beetle Woman (captured in the newly completed painting directly above) evolved from a species of jewel scarab that is native to Mexico.
Respectively above and below are the
front cover and a double page spread from an old copy of National Geographic (February 2001) that I recently unearthed in a
Melbourne thrift shop. It will give some idea of the shimmering beauty and
extraordinary diversity of these insects. Plusiotis victorina can be seen first on the left, second row from the top.
A visit to the University of Nebraska’s Division of Entomology website is highly recommended. For a more detailed view of individual Scarabs, go to their web page: Generic Guide to New World Scarab Beetles. A page devoted entirely to Plusiotis victorina (AKA Chrysina victorina) is HERE.