MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN (1647-1717)
Cassava root with a Garden Tree Boa, Sphinx Moth and Treehopper
1702-03RCIN 921159
The moth in flight is a Rustic Sphinx Moth (Manduca rustica), but the caterpillar and cocoon are of the Tetrio Sphinx Moth (Pseudosphinx tetrio). Merian noted the damage caused to the Cassava crop by these caterpillars. She added the pregnant snake, as she told her readers, to decorate the composition.