MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN (1647-1717)
Branch of the Gumbo-Limbo Tree with White Witch Moth
1702-03RCIN 921174
In the spring of 1700, Merian travelled beyond Paramaribo to explore other areas of Suriname. In April she visited the plantation owned by the Sommelsdijk sisters, who she had known in the Netherlands. Here, Merian found White Witch Moths (Thysania agrippina). She noted that the green caterpillars became red before they changed into cocoons.