This is Hübner’s second work, which, according to one source, “caused a small sensation.” This was due to the fact that Hübner devoted much attention to a little known subject at the time, the early stages (caterpillar and pupa) of the butterflies pictured.

Hübner (1761-1826) completed most of this work while working for three years as a designer and engraver at a cotton factory in the Ukraine. When not at the factory, he spent his time collecting butterflies and moths in the surrounding countryside, stimulated by the number of new species not found near his home in Augsberg, Germany.

Hübner proposed many new genera as well as species. His publications were issued in numerous sections, some after his death, and most without associated publication dates. As such, his publications were of dubious taxonomic validity until Francis Hemming, longtime Secretary of the International Commission of Zoologial Nomenclature, summarized all citations of Hübner’s proposed taxonomic names, thereby constraining the possible dates of publication and establishing the criteria needed to accept these beautiful plates as valid taxonomic publications.