Phosphorus Beetle (Phosphorus virescens)

The name says it all, almost. Phosphorus virescens is a large Southeast Asian longhorn beetle whose subtle greenish exoskeleton - hinted at by its species name, meaning 'becoming green' - gives it a distinctive, nearly luminous quality under the right light.

Phosphorus virescens is found in tropical forests across the Malay Archipelago, including Indonesia and Malaysia, where it is associated with broadleaf trees. Like most longhorn beetles, its larvae are wood-borers, developing inside the trunks and branches of living or recently dead trees over an extended period. Adults are primarily nocturnal and are strongly attracted to light - a habit that brings them into frequent contact with human settlements at the edges of forested areas. Their large size and dramatic antennae make them conspicuous visitors.

The longhorn beetle family is one of the most species-rich groups in the entire insect order, with over 35,000 described species worldwide. Many are important in forest ecology, their larvae playing a key role in breaking down wood and recycling nutrients. Phosphorus virescens is among the more imposing members of the family in its region, and its name - shared with the chemical element associated with light - lends it an air of quiet drama that its nocturnal habits do nothing to dispel.

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.