Jacob L’Admiral (Dutch, 1700–1770)
Emperor Gum Moth with Caterpillar and Pupae
Watercolor on paper
Paper size: 14 3/4 x 10 1/4 in. Mount size: 19 x 14 1/2 in.
Provenance: Henry Rogers Broughton, 2nd Baron Fairhaven

Opodiphthera eucalypti, the emperor gum moth, is native to Australia. The emperor gum moth may inhabit all states of Australia. However, it is scarce in the more southerly states where the climate is less suitable.

Emperor gum moth caterpillars are black when they hatch but change color as they mature. The fully grown caterpillars have a striking coloration with a yellow/cream stripe down their bright green/blue body and nodes of red and blue.