Instar Collection

Tobacco hornworm with tobacco plant
Tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) with a damaged tobacco plant, artwork. This species is common throughout North America. Eggs (right)

Cordylobia anthropophaga, tumbu fly larvae
Larvae of the tumbu fly or putzi fly common in East and Central Africa. Photographed by Martin Hall

Fly life cycle, artwork C018 / 0298
Fly life cycle. Diagram and artworks showing the stages in the life cycle of a fly. The winged adult stage is at top centre

Gasterophilus, horse botfly
The larva of the horse botfly (Gasterophilus) which upon hatching migrate internally where they grow and attach themselves to the stomach wall of horses. Photographed by Martin Hall

Monarch (Danaus plexippus) pupa / chrysalis before emergence Marion Co. IL
Monarch (Danaus Plexippus) pupa, chrysalis before emergence Marion County, Illinois

Monarch (Danaus plexippus) larva (caterpillar) in prepupal J before pupating-forming
Monarch (Danaus Plexippus) larva (caterpillar) in prepupal J before pupating-forming chrysalis (pupa) Marion County, Illinois

Red Admiral or Vanessa atalanta, showing development

Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia) first instar larvae, on Common Heather (Calluna vulgaris) foodplant, Powys, Wales, June

large or cabbage white butterfly, Pieris brassicae, neonate caterpillars feeding on a cabbage leaf

small white butterfly, Pieris rapae, neonate caterpillars feeding on a cabbage leaf

Lappet Moth (Gastropacha quercifolia) full grown larva, on hawthorn twig, Oxfordshire, England, May

Salt-and-pepper Microcaddisfly (Agraylea multipunctata) larva, final instar in protective case made from secretions, crawling along edge of submerged leaf, Wat Tyler Country Park, Essex, England

Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) nymph, resting on leaf, Leicestershire, England, August

Scarlet Tiger Moth (Callimorpha dominula) final instar larva, resting on leaf, Oxfordshire, England, April

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes), close up

Chinese silkmoth caterpillar
A larva (caterpillar) of the Saturnid moth, Samia cynthia, feeding on Privet, Ligustrum vulgare. S. cynthia is native to Eastern China, where its cocoons are one source of wild silk

Chinese silkmoth larvae feeding
Larvae (caterpillars) of the Saturnid moth, Samia cynthia, feeding on Privet, Ligustrum vulgare. S. cynthia is native to Eastern China, where its cocoons are one source of wild silk

Fourth instar Chinese silkmoth larva
A 4th instar larva of the Saturnid moth, Samia cynthia. S. cynthia is a native of Eastern China, where its cocoons are one source of wild silk

Silkmoth larva about to moult
A larva (caterpillar) of the Saturnid moth Samia cynthia, about to undergo ecdysis, or moulting. The larvae of moths and butterflies increase in size by simple growth

Abdominal legs of a silkmoth larva
A fifth (final) instar larva of the Saturnid moth, Samia cynthia, attached to a stem of privet (Ligustrum vulgare). Mature insects have six thoracic legs

Meadow Grasshopper nymph C014 / 3086
Nymphal stage of a Meadow Grasshopper Chorthippus parallellus, with long attennae

Horse botfly larvae C016 / 5712
Horse botfly (Gasterophilus sp.). Specimen of hose botfly larvae attached to the stomach wall of a horse

Wohlfahrtia sp. new world screwworm pupa
New world screwworm (Wohlfahrtia sp.) pupa. Photographed by Martin Hall

December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) final instar larva, feeding on birch leaves, Powys, Wales, April

Forest Bug (Pentatoma rufipes) final instar nymph, walking along bramble stem, Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Kent, England, june

Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia) early instar caterpillar, feeding on leaf, Crossness Nature Reserve, Bexley, Kent, England, june

Mountain Huntsman Spider (Isopeda montana) young instar, walking amongst leaf litter on ground, Western Australia, Australia

Lobster Moth (Stauropus fagi) second instar larva, just emerged from larval skin, Oxfordshire, England

Speckled Bush-cricket (Leptophytes punctatissima) first instar young, resting on Horseshoe Orchid (Ophrys ferrum-equinum) flower sepals, Peloponesos, Southern Greece, april

Bush cricket metamorphosis. This male bush cricket has just shed its skin (top) to become an adult (bottom). The process happens at night

Emperor dragonfly metamorphosis
Image 1 of 7. Emperor dragonfly metamorphosis. Emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator) larva resting on a plant stalk about to begin its metamorphosis into the adult (imago) stage

Emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator) emerging from its exuvia. The abdomen is hanging down as it has still not been pumped to its full length. The process of emergence takes several hours

Common darter dragonfly metamorphosis
Common darter dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum) undergoing metamorphosis. Image 8 of 9. This is one hundred and sixty-five minutes after the thorax starts to split open, the wings have emerged

Desert locust and millet plant
African desert locust (Schistotecera gregaria) on Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), artwork. The desert locust is a significant agricultural pest in Africa, the Middle East and Asia

Colorado potato beetle on potato plant
Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) with a potato plant, artwork. This beetle is a serious pest of commercial potato crops

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"Nature's Transformations: The Fascinating World of Instar" Witness the intricate dance between a tobacco hornworm and its host plant, as they coexist in perfect harmony. Behold the hidden beauty within a Monarch pupa, as it prepares for its magnificent emergence into the world. Marvel at the remarkable transformation of a Monarch caterpillar, as it enters its prepupal stage before forming a chrysalis. Discover the mysterious tumbu fly larvae, Cordylobia anthropophaga, and their intriguing life cycle that unfolds beneath our feet. Step back in time with Mesopotamian art and admire the awe-inspiring Ishtar Gate adorned with majestic dragon motifs. Immerse yourself in ancient history once more as you gaze upon another stunning depiction of dragons on Neo-Babylonian Ishtar Gate artwork. Experience nature's magic through the captivating sight of a Monarch pupa just moments away from emerging into its full glory (Marion Co. , IL). Delve deeper into the enchanting world of Monarchs with yet another mesmerizing image capturing their pupal stage (Marion Co. , IL). Observe newborn neonate caterpillars of small white butterflies indulging in their favorite cabbage leaf feast – an exquisite display of nature's delicacy. Uncover secrets hidden within protective cases made by Salt-and-pepper Microcaddisfly larvae during their final instar phase – truly ingenious creations. Let your imagination soar with breathtaking artwork depicting every stage of a fly's life cycle (C018 / 0298) – an artistic tribute to nature's wonders. Encounter Gasterophilus horse botflies and marvel at their unique lifecycle intertwined with equine companions - an extraordinary symbiotic relationship revealed.