Beautiful Bugs: Entomology Plates from Jardine’s Naturalist’s Library

Explore Victorian-era insect art with these free downloadable entomology plates from Leaves from the Book of Nature.

If you’ve been following along with my series on Leaves from the Book of Nature, you might remember the post I shared on the mammal plates from Jardine’s Naturalist’s Library. This time, it’s all about insects.

Victorian naturalists had a knack for turning scientific observation into an art form, and nowhere is this more evident than in the entomology plates from this series. From jewel-toned beetles to ethereal moths and butterflies, these prints showcase the incredible variety and intricate detail of the insect world.

Jardine’s Naturalist’s Library

The Naturalist’s Library was an ambitious 40-volume series edited by the Scottish naturalist Sir William Jardine in the mid-1800s. Each volume focused on a different category of animals—mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and, of course, insects. The illustrations, often hand-coloured, were created by skilled artists like William Lizars and James Stewart, who managed to combine accuracy with artistry in a way that’s still admired today.

The Leaves from the Book of Nature prints are essentially highlights—curated selections that distil the wonder of the whole series into a few elegant pages.

The Entomology Collection

In this particular set of entomology plates, you’ll find:

• Delicate butterflies with patterned wings in soft pastels and earthy browns
• Glinting beetles with armour-like shells in rich metallic tones
• Dragonflies and damselflies caught mid-hover with gauzy wings
• Various bugs and beetles are arranged almost like a cabinet of curiosities

To download any of the insect prints, click on the title above the one you like. This will open a high-resolution image in a new tab, which you can then save or print as you wish. All of these stunning entomology illustrations are in the public domain, so they’re completely copyright-free.

You might enjoy browsing through their delicate details, frame a favourite as a quirky piece of nature-inspired art, or use them creatively in collage work, junk journaling, or decoupage. They also make excellent additions to educational materials or scrapbook pages, especially if you’re drawn to the charm of vintage natural history.

Beetle Leaves 1-3

The beetle plates in this set are particularly striking, with their gleaming, armour-like shells rendered in rich shades of green, copper, and deep blue. Each one is carefully arranged to showcase the variety in shape and size, from chunky ground beetles to more delicate, jewel-like specimens, highlighting just how diverse and fascinating these little creatures truly are.

Beetle Leaf 1

Check out these other beetle charts on the site in this entomology print collection.

Beetles Leaf 2

There is a lovely, large stag beetle in the middle of this Leaf. You’ll also find a large stag beetle print in this insect print collection.

Beetles Leaf 3

Foreign Butterflies & Moths Leaves 4-9

The next set of prints focuses on foreign butterflies and moths, highlighting species found beyond Europe. There are three plates of butterflies and three of moths, each offering a closer look at the remarkable variety in wing patterns, shapes, and colours across different regions. These illustrations capture both the elegance and complexity of these insects, giving a sense of just how diverse the world of lepidoptera can be.

Foreign Butterflies Leaf 4

Check out these other butterfly prints on the site.

• Fig. 1—4. Heliconia flora, H. diaphana, and Acreea pasiphee.
• 5. Cethosia Dide.
• 6. Charaxes Jasius.
• 7—9. Heliconia erato, H. eynisca, and H. sylvana.
• 10—12. Nymphalis Ethiocles and N. Tiridates.
• 13, 14. Endymion Butterfly and Condomanus Butterfly.
• 15—17. Vanessa Juliana, V. Amathea, and V. Orithya.
• 18, 19. Idea Agelia and Idea Daos.
• 20,21. Marius Thetis and Fabius Hippona.
• 22. Cethosia Cyane.
• 23, 24. Peridromia Arethusa and P. Amphinome.

Foreign Butterflies 2 Leaf 5

• Fig. 1—4. Polyommatus Marsyas and P. Endymion.
• 5—7. Erycina Melibeeus and Loxura Alcides.
• 8, 9. Urania Sloanus and U. Leilus.
• 10—12. Arpidea chorinea, with caterpillar and chrysalis.
• 13 Rhipheus dasycephalus.
• 14. Morpho Helenor.
• 15, 16. Morpho Adonis and Payonia Teucer.
• 17—20. Catagramma Condomanus and C. Pyramus.
• 21 – 24. Polyommatus Venus and P. Acheeus.
• 25—27. Helicopis Gnidus and Erycina Octavius.
• 28. Thaliura Rhipheus.

Foreign Butterflies 3a Leaf 6

• Fig. 1 & 2. Heleona fenestrata and Anthomyza Teresia.
• 3. Philampelus vitis.
• 4, 5. Metopsilus tersa and Sphinx Chionanthi.
• 6—8. Agarista picta, Eusemia lectrix, and E. maculatrix.
• 9—1]. Eterusia tricolour, Erasmia pulchella, and Amesia sanguiflua.
• 12 – 14, Heptolus lignivora, caterpillar of do.., and Zeuzera minea,
• 15. Metamorphoses of Cryptophasa irrorata.
• Fig. 16—22. Caterpillar of A. erythrinze, do. of B. molina, do. of B. nesia, do. of B. netrix.
• 23 —25, Caterpillar of Metopsilus tersa, do. of Sphinx chionanthi, do. of Sphinx gauree.

I noticed that one of the butterflies was missing from the original scan of this plate. Fortunately, I found a more complete version in another library collection, so I’ve included both versions here (labelled A and B) for comparison.

Foreign Butterflies 3b

Moths Foreign 1 Leaf 7

Butterflies and moths both belong to the same insect group (Lepidoptera), but they differ in a few key ways. Butterflies usually have clubbed antennae, slender bodies, and are active during the day.

Moths tend to have feathery antennae, furry bodies, and are primarily active at night. Butterflies rest with wings closed upright, while moths often rest with wings flat. Butterflies form a hard chrysalis, while moths spin a silk cocoon.

• Fig. 1 & 2. Heleona fenestrata and Anthomyza Teresia.
• 3. Philampelus vitis.
• 4, 5. Metopsilus tersa and Sphinx Chionanthi.
• 6—8. Agarista picta, Eusemia lectrix, and E. maculatrix.
• 9—10. Eterusia tricolour, Erasmia pulchella, and Amesia sanguiflua.
• 12-14, Heptolus lignivora, caterpillar of do., and Zeuzera minea,
• 15. Metamorphoses of Cryptophasa irrorata
• Fig. 16—22. Caterpillar of A. erythrinze, do. of B. molina, do. of B. nesia, do. of B. netrix.
• 23 —25, Caterpillar of Metopsilus tersa, do. of Sphinx chionanthi, do. of Sphinx gauree.

Foreign Moths 2 Leaf 8

I noticed that one of the moths was missing from the original scan of this plate. Fortunately, I found a more complete version in another library collection, so I’ve included both versions here (labelled A and B) for comparison.

• Fig. 1—4. Metamorphoses of Saturnia Prometheus.
• 5—9. Arctia Hebe, Spilosoma Arge, S. Virgo, and caterpillar and chrysalis of do.
• 10—18. Spilosoma acrea, caterpillar and chrysalis of do., and Arctia aculatissima.
• 14, 15. Saturnia Cynthia and 8S. Mylitta.
• 16, 17. Saturnia Maia and Aglia To.
• 18. Hyalophora Cecropia.
• 19—21. Ceratocampo imperialis, Harpyia Banksize and the caterpillar.
• 22 Dorycampa regalis.
• 23—25. Caterpillar of S. Cynthia, do. of S. Mylitta, and pedunculated cocoon of the latter.
• 26. Saturnia Isis.

Foreign Moths 2a

Foreign Moths 2b

Although this is the same print as the one above, the colour saturation of the moths is noticeably different. It’s hard to say whether this variation comes from differences in the original printing or simply the result of the scanning process.

Foreign Moths 3 Leaf 9

• Fig. 1—4. Asthenia podaliriaria, Macrotes netrix, Venilia sospita, and Eumelia Rosalia.
• 5—7. Hypercampa sybaris, Callimorpha heleita, and C. phileta.
• 8—10. Catocala neogama and C. amesia.
• 11, 12. Angerona prunaria and Alcis scolopacea.
• 13—15. Epidesmia tricolor, Scopelodes unicolor, and Tortrix Crameriana.
• 16, 17. Erebus crepuscularis and Tripheena materna.
• 18—20. Dichroma equestralis, D. histrionalis, and D. arcualis.
• 21—25. Limacodes micilia and Doratifera vulnerans.
• 26—30. Deiopeia bella, Cydosia nobilitella, Chloridea Rhexie, Alaria (EHrastria?) Gaure, and caterpillar of do.
• 31—34. Limacodes Cippus and caterpillar, Ecnomidea pithecium and caterpillar.

British Butterflies & Moths Leaves 10-15

This section features British butterflies and moths, with three prints dedicated to each. These illustrations offer a glimpse into the species commonly found across the UK, from familiar garden visitors to more elusive woodland moths. The plates are carefully detailed, reflecting the subtle beauty and variety of native British lepidoptera.

British Butterflies Leaf 10

• Fig. 1—3. Common Cabbage Butterfly and Small White do.
• 4,5. Swallow-tail Butterfly and Scarce Swallow-tail do.
• 6, 7. Brimstone and Clouded Yellow Butterflies.
• 8, 9. Colias hyale and C. Europome.
• 10, 11. Large Copper and Common Blue Butterflies.
• 12—14. Early White Cabbage, Howard’s White, and Duskyveined White Butterflies.
• 15, 16. Green-veined White and Bath White Butterflies.
• 17—19. Orange-tip and White Wood Butterflies.

British Butterflies 2 Leaf 11

• Fig. 1 & 2. Silver-washed Fritillary and Glanville do.
• 3, 4. Duke of Burgundy Fritillary and Pearl-bordered Likeness.
• 5, 6. Grayling Butterfly and Wallbrown do.
• 7, 8. Dark-green Fritillary and Pearl-bordered do.
• 9—11. Melitea Athalia, Greasy Fritillary, and Small Pearl-bordered do.
• 12, 13. Apollo Butterfly and Blackveined White do.
• 14, 15. Red Admiral and White Admiral.
• 16,17. High-brown Fritillary and Queen of Spain do.
• 18. Purple Emperor.
• 19, 20. Comma Butterfly and Large Tortoise-shell do.
• 21, 22. Small Tortoise-shell Butterfly and Painted Lady do.
• 23, 24. Peacock Butterfly and Camberwell Beauty.

Butterflies British 3 Leaf 12

• Fig. 1—3. Small Ringlet Butterfly, Marsh Ringlet do., and Small Heath do.
• 4 -7, Meadow-brown Butterfly, Mountain Ringlet do.., and Ringlet do.
• 8—10. Black Hair-streak, White Letter Hair-streak, and Green Hair-streak Butterflies.
• 11—13, Purple-edged Copper, Dark Underwing Copper, and Common Copper Butterflies.
• Tig. 14, 15. Brown Hair-streak and Purple Hair-streak Butterflies.
• 16—18. Large Copper and Scarce Copper Butterflies.
• 19—22. Marbled White, Large Heath, and Speckled Wood Butterflies.
• 23, 24. Arran Brown and Scotch Argus Butterflies.
• 25—27. Large Blue, Alcon Blue, and Chalk-hill Blue Butterflies.
• 28—31. Azure Blue, Bedford Blue, and Mazarine Blue Butterflies.
• 32, 33. Clifden Blue and Silver-studded Blue Butterflies.
• 34—37. Brown Argus, Durham Argus, and Artaxerxes Butterflies.

British Moths 1a Leaf 13

Again, I noticed that one of the moths was missing from the original scan of this plate. Fortunately, I found a more complete version in another library collection, so I’ve included both versions here (labelled A and B) for comparison.

• 1—4. Grizaled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Chequered Skipper, and Small Skipper.
• 5, 6. Unicorn Hawk-moth and caterpillar.
• 7—11. Large Skipper, Pearl Skipper, Green Forester, Six-spotted Burnet Moth, and Five-spotted Burnet Moth.
• 12, 13. Pine Hawk-moth and Madder Hawk-moth.
• 14—16. Eyed Hawk-moth, Poplar Hawk-moth and caterpillar.
• 17—19. Lime Hawk-moth, Privet Hawk-moth and caterpillar.
• 20—22. Sharp-winged Hawk-moth, with caterpillar and chrysalis.
• 23. Death’s-head Hawk-moth.
• 24, 25. Spotted Elephant Hawk-moth and caterpillar.
• 26, 27. Oleander Hawk-moth and caterpillar.

British Moths 1b

British Moths 2 Leaf 14

• Fig. 1—4. Black Arches (male and female), Scarlet Tiger Moth, and a Variety of do.
• 5—8. Humming-bird Hawk-moth, caterpillar of do.. Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth and Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth.
• 9—11. Emperor Moth, caterpillar of do., and Oak Egger Moth.
• 12—14, Orange Swift, and Goat Moth and caterpillar of do.
• Fig. 15—17. Clouded Buff, Cream-spot Tiger Moth, and Ruby Tiger Moth.
• 18—20. Puss Moth, caterpillar of do., and Kentish Glory.
• 21—24. Drinker Moth (male and fem.), Lappet Moth and caterpillar of do.
• 25—27. Elephant Hawk-moth, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, and caterpillar of do.
• 28—31. Bee Clear-wing, Breeze Clearwing, Black and white horned Clear-wing, and Ruby Fly Clear-wing.
• 32. Wood Leopard Moth, caterpillar of do., and Buff-tip Moth.

Moths 3 Leaf 15

• Fig. 1—8, Broad-bordered Yellow-underwing, Large Sword-grass Moth, and caterpillar of do.
• 4, 5. Clifden Nonpareil and Red Underwing.
• 6—8. Brimstone Moth, Swallow-tail Moth, and Large Emerald.
• 9—12. Pease-blossom Moth, Gamma Moth, caterpillar of do., and Burnished-brass Moth.
• 13—15. Herald Moth, Mottled Orange Moth, and Angleshades Moth.
• 16—18. April Miselia, Peach-blossom Moth, and Buff Arches.
• 19—22. Wood Tiger Moth, Cinnabar Moth, Crimson-speckled Footman, and caterpillar of do.
• 23—26. Beautiful China-mark, Green Silver-lines, caterpillar of do., and Scarce Silver-lines.
• 27—30. Dark Porcelain Moth, Linneus’ Glyphipteryx, Whiteplumed Moth, and Manyplumed Moth.
• 31—34, Gooseberry Moth, caterpillars of do., Mottled Beauty and Clifden Beauty.

Miscellaneous Insects Entomology Plates 16-18

The miscellaneous insect plates include a mix of species that don’t fall neatly into the butterfly, moth, or beetle categories. These prints feature everything from dragonflies and cicadas to unusual beetles and other curious bugs, offering a broader look at the diversity captured in Jardine’s entomology collection.

Miscellaneous Insects 1 Leaf 16

• Fig. 1 & 2. Fulgora candelaria and F. maculata.
• 3,4. Fulgora laternaria and F. Castresii.
• 5, 6. Locusta migratoria and L. Dux
• Fig. 7, 8. Locusta cristata and L, flava. 9—l1. Locusta Surinama, Truxalis conicus, and T. Brasiliensis.
• 12, 13. Cicada plebeia and C. septemdecim.
• 14—16. Scutellera dispar, Pentatoma rutilans, and Raphigaster incarnatus.
• 17—19. Syrtomastes paradoxus, Cerbus flaveolus, and Anisosceles hymeniphera.
• 20, 21. Aphana sub-maculata and Membracis foliata.

Miscellaneous Insects 2 Leaf 17

• Fig. 1 & 2, Asilus abdominalis and Acanthomera immaunis.
• 3—6. Phryganea grandis, Cimbex 10-maculata, Athalia centifoliz, and caterpillar of do.
• 7, 8. A&shna grandis and Stilbopteryx costalis.
• 9—11. Libellula quadrimaculata, L. Portia, and Nemoptera angulata.
• 12, 13. Libellula axilena and L. pulchella.
• 14—16. Centrotus globularis, furcatus, and biclavatus.
• 17—19. Pimpla manifestator, Stephanus coronatus, and Pelecinus politurator.
• 20—22. Sirex gigas, Tremex columba and Joppa picta.
• 23—25. Ctenophora pectinicornis, Tabanus tropicus, and Diopsis ichneumonia.

Check out this collection of dragonfly drawings on the site.

Miscellaneous Insects 3 Leaf 18

• 1. Mantis religiosa.
• 2. Anostostoma Australasiz.
• 3. Deroplatys disiccata.
• 4. Phyllium siccifolium, or Walking Leaf.
• 5—7. Blatta gigantea, B. Petiveriana, and Harpax ocellaria.
• 8. Phasma necydaloides.
• 9—11. Acrida viridissima, A. verrucivora, and Pterophylla ocellata.
• 12, 13. Empusa gongylodes and E. lobipes.
• 14, Phyllium siccifolia.

Wrapping Up: A Celebration of Insects in Art

It’s fascinating to see how much care and detail went into these 19th-century entomology prints. Whether you’re drawn to the symmetry of butterfly wings, the shiny armour of beetles, or the delicate structure of moths, Jardine’s Leaves from the Book of Nature offers a wonderfully varied glimpse into the insect world through a Victorian lens.

If you’re still feeling inspired and want to explore more beautiful insect imagery, I’ve shared some other fantastic collections you might enjoy. There’s Fabre’s Book of Insects, which features charming and educational illustrations based on the writings of the famous French entomologist. For something a little more decorative, you’ll love these pochoir prints of antique butterflies—full of colour and style.

If Art Nouveau is more your thing, don’t miss the stunning insect illustrations by E.A. Séguy, with their bold patterns and graphic flair. And for something truly unique, have a look at the insect art prints of Joris Hoefnagel, whose Renaissance-era work blends scientific detail with artistic imagination in such a whimsical way.

Of course, no insect collection would be complete without mentioning Adolphe Millot’s natural history charts. His colourful insect plates are packed with charm and remain some of the most popular downloads on the site.

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