Entomorphologic
Entomorphologic is a project with an ecological aspect through the use of A.I. generated visualization. The goal is to increase the empathy for invisible animals by taking real ones as a base, analyzing their characteristics and visualizing how they would look like when they evolve to survive the current declination in numbers and worldwide extinction.
Learn more about the insects by reading their descriptions. And support the project by exposition requests or buying the digital artworks, posters, canvases or stickers.
Cithaerias Aura
The original
Glasswing butterflies do actually exist. The Glasswing butterfly, also known as Greta oto, is a remarkable species due to its transparent wings. The wings of this butterfly are unique because they reflect minimal light, allowing a wide spectrum of light to travel straight through the wing tissue, from infrared to ultraviolet. Researchers studying the butterfly’s wings have discovered that the nanostructures on the wing’s surface are completely random, with no regular size or structured distribution. As a result, when light strikes the wing’s surface, only one or two rays are reflected, while the majority of the light passes straight through the wing unobstructed.
These findings have important implications for the development of water-repellent technology. By drawing inspiration from the random nanostructure surface of the Glasswing butterfly, scientists are creating coatings for digital screens that can be viewed even in bright sunlight. Additionally, the first prototypes of this technology have indicated that this type of surface coating is both water-repellent and self-cleaning. This is a prime example of how bio-inspiration can lead to breakthroughs in technology and innovation.
The Evolution
The Cithaerias Aura butterfly stores energy in tiny, transparent scales on its wings called “photonic crystal cells.” These cells are made up of thin layers of chitin, a protein found in insect exoskeletons, and air pockets. When sunlight passes through these layers, it creates a physical effect called “photonic bandgap,” which traps the light and converts it into energy.
The energy is then stored in the form of high-energy electrons within the chitin layers, similar to how solar panels store energy in photovoltaic cells. The butterfly can use this stored energy to power its muscles during flight, and also to regulate its body temperature and other metabolic processes.
The Solution
By studying the mechanisms behind the Cithaerias Aura butterfly’s energy storage, scientists have gained insights into how to improve the efficiency of solar energy capture and storage technologies. Mimicking the butterfly’s photonic crystal cells, researchers have developed new materials for use in solar panels that can more efficiently capture and store solar energy, making solar power a more viable and sustainable energy source for the future.
Cithaerias Perspicuus
The original
While the butterfly has a beautiful blue coloring, it doesn’t actually have any pigment to make it look that way. In fact, the blue morpho uses structural color to get its particular shade of blue. Blue is actually an extremely rare color in nature. These butterflies have scales that overlap, refracting light similar to a prism. So, when the light hits the wings, it is refracted against the scales and comes off as blue. Blue Morpho caterpillars eat compounds that are poisonous to humans.
The issue
Blue morphos are severely threatened by deforestation of tropical forests and habitat fragmentation.
The evolution
A new species of butterfly emerged. The Cithaerias Perspicuus butterfly developed a resistance to the toxic chemicals that were polluting its environment. It could now feed on electric car batteries thanks to its ability to break down and detoxify harmful chemicals. It not only provided the butterfly with a new source of energy. But resulted also in having crystallised and colourful wings. As people began to realize the butterfly’s unique ability to break down and detoxify toxic waste, they started to see the potential for a new, sustainable solution to the problem of electric car battery disposal.
The series
This visual is part of the entomologic series where you can see more animals visualised. If you want to know more about the project go here. To buy this specific artwork or others, digitally or as print as a gift or to hang at home, visit the shop here.
Morpho Cosmetica
As the world continues to grapple with the effects of human-caused global warming, loss of habitat, and the use of pesticides in intensive agriculture farming, many species are struggling to adapt and survive. However, the Morpho Cosmetica butterfly has managed to evolve in a unique way to withstand these challenges.
One of the most striking features is its enhanced crystal wings, which are stronger and more resilient. This adaptation allows it to fly longer distances and to withstand extreme weather conditions, such as strong winds and heavy rain.
But its ability to survive in a changing world is not just due to its physical adaptations. This evolution also tapped into some kind of cosmic energy. It is thought to give a heightened sense of awareness and intuition, allowing it to adapt quickly to changes in its environment. It also helps to communicate more effectively with other members of its species, enabling it to coordinate its behaviour and adapt more effectively to new challenges.
Scarabidea Pyro-electrica
The scarabidea Pyro-electrica is evolved from the grapevine beetle. (The beetle in the short story “The Gold Bug” by Edgar Allen Poe). They are polymorphic (exist in different shapes) and use their piezoelectric crystals in their legs to store and discharge electricity.
Get this image without text in high resolution for you HD or 4K monitor here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1417434240/scarabidea-pyro-electrica
Buprestidae Metallica
This beetle is an evolvement of the Euchroma Giganteum beetles which are actually not evaluated to be endangered at this moment. These beetles frequently visit flowers, and various other deciduous trees or large shrubs, where they feed on pollen. They use their hard wing coverings, called elytra, to make a clicking sound.
This cybernetic evolvement called Buprestidae Metallica, has enhanced their communication channels from visual and acoustic to electronic. Found near communication antennas, disrupting communication stations used by deforestation companies. Their ecosystem impact: biodegradation.
This specimen can be purchased as high resolution digital image for your desktop background, mobile device or to print out here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1431590207/buprestidae-metallica
Jewel beetle
The mechanism by which some beetles have evolved to look like faces is called “aposematism” or “masquerade.” As a form of camouflage or defence mechanism.
Buprestidae Chromatic is a cybernetic evolvement of the jewel beetle. Which is ranked in the top 10 of most endangered beetles.
The beetle’s exoskeleton had been modified to incorporate advanced camouflage technology. It could change color and pattern in response to its surroundings, allowing it to blend in seamlessly with its environment and avoid detection by predators or humans.
When threatened, the beetle could activate a special mechanism that caused its exoskeleton to transform into a face-like pattern that resembled that of a dangerous predator. This not only scared off potential predators but also attracted the attention of other animals that could help protect the beetle.
Monarchetype Tigre
Monarchetype Tigre evolved to avoid extinction by fusing with Wasp DNA. Wasps play a crucial role in many ecosystems, serving as pollinators, predators of pest insects, and food sources for other animals. Due to intensive agriculture and their use of pesticides, wasps, like the Monarch butterfly, are greatly reduced in numbers, especially in Europe and North America.
Wasps, are social animals. They only survive when they act as a whole group. This hybrid takes the best of both worlds to battle human caused global warming, pesticides and loss of habitat.
Viridis Powelliphanta
Snails can live for 20 years or more. It is illegal since 1982 to collect shells of Powelliphanta; collecting live animals for their shells have made some species rarer, but some species also need to feed on discarded shells to recycle their calcium lining.
This version Viridis Powelliphanta evolved to counter the threat of extinction by hardening their shell against predators by consuming plastic waste, moving their habitat above the treeline and storing solar energy in their shell. They now face another threat by humans collecting their shell for decoration purposes.
Monarchetype Masaica
The Monarch butterfly
The iconic Monarch butterfly was once a familiar sight, now plummeting toward extinction due to landscape-scale threats from pesticides, development and climate change. The western population is suffering a 99% decline. They are threatened by pesticides — including toxic neonicotinoids and herbicides, which are killing off the milkweed plants they need to survive — as well as urban development and climate change.
The evolution
This Monarchetype Masaica evolved by increasing the amount of chemosensoric receptors that detect scent. A more robust armour to withstand the extremes in weather caused by climate change, and having a longer lifespan.
How to save them
Planting milkweed, reducing pesticides and protecting overwintering sites.
Monarchetype Nymphalidae
The monarch butterfly is at greatest risk of extinction, having declined by an estimate of 99.9%, from as many as 10 million to 1.914 between 1980 and 2021 according to IUCN. This is due to the use of pesticides and herbicides used by farmers in intensive agriculture. In 2009, monarchs were reared on the International Space Station, successfully emerging from pupae located in the station’s Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus. The monarch is also the first butterfly to have its genome sequenced.
Monarchetype Nymphalidae adapted by having more robust wings and feeding on thrown away batteries found at landfills. Click on the image below to view a 3D version of the image:
Discotecus rotundatus
Discotecus rotundatus is a species of small, air-breathing, land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk. Its almost indestructible shell is clearly recognised by predators and can fire glitter to scare them off. Adapted to the threat of global warming by having the ability to eat metal. This snail, like most terrestrial gastropods, is hermaphrodite.
Land snails and slugs represent about 40 percent of the known animal extinctions since 1500, more likely disappeared before becoming known to science, and many species are now on the edge.
Calosomatic scrutator
Nr4. Calosomatic scrutator is a cybernetic evolvement of a large ground beetle that usually lives in North America. Also known as the fiery searcher and caterpillar hunter. A Holarctic genus distributed in Europe, Asia, North Africa and North and Central America. They became self sufficient after the mass extinction of American insects by storing heat in the gemlike fuel cells on their back shield. The adult beetle is known to excrete a diesel-smelling oil when it is handled.
If you need this image in high resolution without any text or logo you can find it here.
Elaprator cupreus
Nr 3. Elaprator cupreus is a cybernetic evolvement of a ground beetle native to Palearctic (the largest of the eight biogeographic realms of the Earth). It stretches across all of Eurasia north of the foothills of the Himalayas, and North Africa. Evolved after the mass extinction of Russian insects by their resistance against extreme temperature fluctuations due to global warming.
Some images like this one are available as poster or print on metal at the webshop here.
Digitalis phyllodes
The second one in the series.
A.I. Visualisation made to raise awareness of the worldwide decline of insect populations as part of the Entomorphologic project.
Digitalis phyllodes, a cybernetic evolvement of a ground beetle, also known as the violin beetle. For defence purposes, they secrete the poisonous butyric acid. This species can be found in rainforests of Southeast Asia. These beetles possess a flat leaf-shaped, shiny black or brown body with distinctive violin-shaped translucent elytra. Which protects them against predators, while their flat shaped body allow them to dwell in soil cracks or under the bark and leaves of trees. Both adults and larvae are predators, feeding on insect larvae.
The music, is called: March of the insects and is composed by Arno Vrijman in collaboration with Anton Lustig. More about the project as well as other visualisations can be found here: https://www.ifolio.nl/entomorphologic/ If you like the project and would like to support, or just to have this image on your desktop background or as canvas on your wall, go to https://www.etsy.com/shop/ifolio/
Project Entomorphologic Collection
The first one in the series! Entomorphologic is a project I started with an ecological aspect through the use of A.I. generated visualisation. Increasing the empathy for insects by taking real insects as a base. Analysing their characteristics. And visualising how they would look like when they evolve to survive the current declination in numbers and extinction worldwide.
This one: Dytiscus Digitalis is a cybernetic evolvement of a large water beetle that usually lives in wetlands and ponds. A Holarctic genus distributed in Europe, Asia, North Africa and North and Central America. They became self sufficient after the mass extinction of European insects by using a form of photosynthesis in the solar cells on their back. They are predators that can reduce mosquito larvae.
If you like my work and would like to purchase, go to https://ifolio.etsy.com/ or for more information about the project go to https://www.ifolio.nl/entomorphologic/
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