Blue Fungus Beetle (Gibbifer californicus)

Brilliant metallic blue and found living among fungi in western North America, the Blue Fungus Beetle (Gibbifer californicus) is one of the most visually arresting members of the pleasingly named pleasing fungus beetle family (Erotylidae).

The Blue Fungus Beetle is found primarily in California, Oregon, and parts of the American Southwest, where it lives on and around bracket fungi growing on hardwood trees, particularly oaks. Both adults and larvae feed on the fruiting bodies of these polypore fungi, spending much of their lives in close association with decaying wood. Adults are relatively large for the family, with a smooth, domed body and an intense blue-black sheen that shifts subtly in different light.

The relationship between fungus beetles and their host fungi is a quiet example of ecological interdependence - the beetles rely on fungi for food and shelter, while their movement between trees may help disperse fungal spores. It is a partnership largely hidden from view, playing out on the underside of logs and in the dim interiors of woodland, far from the more celebrated dramas of pollination and predation.

Bugs Series

Bugs gathers illustrations adapted from and inspired by founder Simon Tyler's book Bugs, published by Pavilion Children’s Books in 2017. The series celebrates the graphic elegance of insect life: armour-like exoskeletons, iridescent wings, compound eyes, and the ingenious mechanics of movement and camouflage. It’s a visual field guide reimagined—clean, bold forms and carefully tuned palettes that bring structure to the surface.

Each piece begins with the research-led drawings from the book and then goes further: refined linework, rebalanced composition, and subtle textural detailing designed for generous print sizes. The aim is clarity and presence — images that feel scientifically grounded yet striking on the wall. Printed with the same archival care as our other series, Bugs turns natural history into crisp, enduring graphic art.

Printing & Materials

Our Bugs series is produced in collaboration with specialist fine-art printing partners using museum-grade 250 gsm archival giclée paper.

Each print is made to order with exceptional precision and colour accuracy, using pigment-based inks for long-term stability and rich tonal depth.

Prints are carefully rolled in acid-free tissue and shipped in rigid cardboard tubes to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, ready for framing.

All materials and processes are chosen for their longevity, texture, and fidelity to the original artwork, reflecting our commitment to quality and craft.