When it comes to diversity, there is one group of animals that has a leg up (or six legs up!) on all other animals: the beetles. The order Coleoptera, the Latin order name for beetles, has more species than perhaps any other order of animals (we say “perhaps” because Hymenoptera, or the order that includes ants, bees, and wasps, may have more species that just haven’t been described yet). Whether or not they’re actually number one, there’s no denying that the number of described beetle species, which amounts to 25% of all described animal species, is impressive.
3D Anatomy Studios member Michael Fath created this mosaic of 27 unique adult beetles and 6 unique larval beetles to celebrate the huge diversity of beetle life on Earth. The combination of adult and larval forms are a reminder that, like many insects, beetles undergo metamorphosis, with a larva that forms a pupa or cocoon and then emerges as an adult. And among the adult forms you can see both the wings and the elytra, specialized wing-cases that evolved from the front wings. This is actually the origin of the name Coleoptera, which means “shielded wings” in Greek.
Within the mosaic, you’ll find a rhinoceros beetle, ladybug, lightning bug, stink bug, flat bark beetle, diving beetle, and stag beetle, among others. Together, they squirm, skate, scurry and soar to form the silhouette of a scarab beetle. Whether you’re an insect enthusiast or an animal lover looking for more invertebrate representation in your life, these cards are the perfect way to honor one of Earth’s most speciose order of animals.
Card quality and surface texture
To ensure exceptional quality, we print and fold these cards in our workshop in Pawtucket, Rhode Island (USA) and ship them directly to you. The cards and envelopes are both made from 100% recycled paper. The card is made from thick matte (non-glossy) card stock with a cream white tint. The card surface has a subtle roughness and is speckled with faint dark particles and flecks of white that reflect the paper's recycled origins. Also reflecting their recycled origins, the envelopes have a subtle roughness and are naturally speckled with faint particles and fibers.
What's included in your order
These cards are sold as a set. One set includes 10 greeting cards (4.25 in x 5.5 in) and 10 envelopes (4.4 in x 5.8 in; A2 size). The greeting cards are blank on the inside.
Product Credits
Illustration “Beetlemania” by Michael Fath; card design by Aaron Olsen. Product photography and product description by Aaron Olsen.
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