For all their thoroughness, the exquisite images of metamorphosis produced by Arthur Bartholomew and the Scott sisters in the 19th century omitted one phase of the moth's life cycle: the egg.
Ross Field is an honorary associate of the museum and an entomologist dedicated to documenting each life stage of every Victorian butterfly species. His passion has taken him to the top of many hills, along riverbanks and through parklands in pursuit of female butterflies as they lay their eggs. Simon Hinkley's extreme close-up photographs of Ross's egg collection are just a small fraction of the images that have been captured for his exhaustive guide to our butterflies.
Click an egg to reveal the butterfly parent.