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Melon, oil beetle and sheep ked
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Melon, oil beetle and sheep ked
European oil beetle, Meloe proscarabaeus 1, 2, melon de Honfleur, Cucumis melo 3, and sheep ked, Melophagus ovinus 4. Meloe, Melon, Melophage. Handcoloured steel engraving by Pfitzer after an illustration by Adolph Fries from Felix-Edouard Guerin-Menevilles Dictionnaire Pittoresque d Histoire Naturelle (Picturesque Dictionary of Natural History), Paris, 1834-39
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Media ID 23179328
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Adolph Beetle Cucumis Dhistoire Dictionnaire Felix Edouard Fries Guerin Meneville Honfleur Melo Melon Naturelle Pfitzer Pittoresque Sheep Meloe
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This exquisitely hand-colored steel engraving, created by Pfitzer after an illustration by Adolph Fries for Felix-Edouard Guerin-Meneville's Dictionnaire Pittoresque d'Histoire Naturelle (Picturesque Dictionary of Natural History), published in Paris between 1834 and 1839, showcases an intriguing interaction between three distinct creatures: a European oil beetle (Meloe proscarabaeus), a melon (Cucumis melo), and a sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus). The European oil beetle, depicted in the foreground, is a large, elongated insect with a distinctive, metallic green sheen. Known for their ability to roll up into a ball when disturbed, these beetles are often found in grasslands and meadows. They feed on various plant species, including the melon, which is shown in the middle of the image. The melon, a popular fruit, is depicted with its vibrant, yellow-green skin and luscious, red flesh. In the background, a sheep ked, or sheep louse, is shown perched on the melon. This small, wingless insect is a parasitic arachnid that feeds on the blood of sheep and other livestock. The presence of the sheep ked on the melon is a reminder of the complex relationships between different organisms in the natural world and the interconnectedness of various food sources within ecosystems. The intricate detail and vibrant colors of this hand-colored steel engraving provide a stunning visual representation of these fascinating creatures and their interactions. The work of Pfitzer and Fries serves as a testament to the beauty and diversity of the natural world, captured in the pages of this historic, illustrated natural history dictionary.
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