This illustration is a page from a volume of William Buckler’s watercolour drawings of butterfly and moth caterpillars. Reverend John Hellins, a friend of Buckler’s and the vicar at Exeter jail, complied it. Hellins writes ‘Figures commenced to be placed in this book Feb 21 1861 with very few exceptions they are by Mr W Buckler – of Emsworth, Hants – who has generously sent me his figures of all species of Lepidopterous larvae – which for any reason were not secured at once in his own Book. J.H.’
The notes read:
WB Vanessa Urticae an old figure
WB Vanessa Polychloros an old figure for better figures see p133
WB Vanessa Io an old figure
WB Vanessa Cardui. July 31. 1862. Imago Aug. 28. on thistle. Immature. July 17. 1865. on mallow E.M.M.V. 278
WB Vanessa Atalanta. July 1. 1862. Imago July 28. B. July 21. Imago Aug 31. In folded leaves of nettle.
