1986 Harlequin Beetle Acrocinus Longimanus Print - Durin Bernard Les Insectes Scientific Illustration - Linnaeus Entomology - 11 x 13 in

This is a gorgeous high quality vintage print with vivid colours taken from a disbound copy of Les Insectes by Bernard Durin. The dimensions are 11 x 13 inches. Visit https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ForestHillArtsHouse?section_id=53836226 for more Insects prints. In Latin, the specific name of the Cayenne harlequin beetle refers to its long "arms," due to the exaggerated length of its front legs. Indeed, one tends to call "arms" the long front legs with which it grips. But this insect is much better known under the name "Cayenne harlequin," and it’s easy to imagine the acrobatic feats it can perform among the foliage thanks to its oversized "arms." When it fights a rival to win a female, the way it uses its long legs and thin antennae is worthy of a clown. The name it bears undoubtedly comes from the strange appearance of its front legs, but also from the bizarre patterns that decorate its head, pronotum, and elytra, making it look like it's in disguise. Even esteemed figures like J.-J. Scheuchzer were fooled. In his Dissertatio physicae sacrae specimen de Locustis from 1724, he mistook the harlequin beetle for a grasshopper. The harlequin beetle is found from Mexico to southern Brazil. It is active at night and lives on wild fig trees. The larvae can destroy citron and fig tree plantations. The beetle reaches 7 cm in length, while its front legs can exceed 14 cm. **Background** The artist Bernard Durin was an artist and illustrator transforming the tiniest creatures into works of art. Born in France in 1940, "Beetles and Other Insects," was published in 1980. It is considered a masterpiece. Durin has captured the intricate patterns, textures, and colours of his subjects with stunning accuracy. He made around 60 portraits of insects, using rare and fascinating specimens entrusted to him by the entomologists of the Museum of Natural History in Paris. Durin’s work combines scientific precision with artistic beauty. This has made them valuable to entomologists and other scientists. Bernard Durin passed away in 1988. His illustrations continue to be admired for their beauty and precision, and they remain a valuable resource for anyone interested in the natural world. **About Your Purchase:** - Your purchase is this ORIGINAL vintage print. No modern reprints, reproductions, or copies. - Please note: This print is sold unmounted. **Condition:** Good. Consistent with age. The reverse has text in German. There is no show-through. **Returns & Shipping** - **Returns:** No-questions-asked within 14 days provided in the same condition as dispatched; buyer pays return shipping. - **Packaging:** All prints are securely packaged in a clear bag with a board-backed envelope, further reinforced with recycled cardboard. - Dispatched via Royal Mail Tracked 24/48 (and Royal Mail Tracked International) with: - UK delivery within 1-3 days - US/EU delivery within 5-12 days - Rest-of-world delivery within 7-21 days