This project was inspired by the beautiful patterns of moths. I hope everyone can see them as beautiful as I do! In the background of each illustration are the flowers of plants that act as hosts for the larvae. The female lays her eggs on certain plants that provide food for the larva once it hatches. 

This is the rustic sphinx (Manduca rustica), a moth native to the Americas. It belongs to the sphinx or hawk moth family, Sphingidae. These moths are often mistaken for hummingbirds, as they are agile and fast, and can also hover while feeding on nectar. The host plants portrayed here are desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) and strongbark (Bourreria succulenta). 

This is the Jersey tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria), a moth that is active during the day. Its distribution is quite wide, covering most of Europe and spilling over into western Russia and the Middle East. The larvae are polyphagous, meaning they feed on a wide range of plants, but the ones I chose to draw here are marsh willowherb (Epilobium palustre) and black broom (Cytisus nigricans). 

Finally, this is Comstock's sallow (Feralia comstocki), belonging to the family Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths. This beautiful moth is found in the boreal and coniferous forests of North America. The host plants include several pine species. 

Thanks for stopping by!