A large gray, black, red and white Cecropia moth is painted resting on a poplar tree branch. Also on the branch are the large lime green caterpillar and grayish brown cocoon of this species.

by Amy Maltzan

Acrylic gouache on Arches hot press paper

I painted this piece for a show with the theme “Weird and Wonderful.” Cecropia moths are the largest native moths in North America. The plump caterpillar is 4 inches long with alien-like spiny tubercles, and the adults have a 7 inch wingspan!