Violin Beetle (Mormolyce phyllodes)

Flattened to an almost implausible degree, the Violin Beetle (Mormolyce phyllodes) has a body shaped so precisely like its namesake instrument that it barely looks real. Its wide, translucent wing cases and paper-thin profile allow it to slip between layers of bracket fungi in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia.

Violin Beetles are found in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia. Their extreme flatness is an adaptation to life between the layers of bracket fungi growing on tree trunks, where they hunt for insect larvae and other small invertebrates. Despite their delicate appearance, they are active predators with powerful mandibles. When threatened, they can spray a caustic chemical from their abdomen - an effective deterrent that belies their papery, almost fragile look.

The Violin Beetle belongs to the ground beetle family (Carabidae), though its arboreal habits set it apart from its earth-bound relatives. Its remarkable form is a striking example of how evolutionary pressure - in this case, the need to navigate extremely tight spaces - can produce shapes that seem more like design than biology. Few insects demonstrate quite so vividly that function and beauty are not always in conflict.

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.