Sargus Reaumuri. (White Epipactus) Plate 305.

Sargus Reaumuri. (White Epipactus) Plate 305. From British Entomology; Being Illustrations and Descriptions of the Genera of Insects…, published in London between 1824 and 1840 by John Curtis. This finely hand-colored plate depicts Sargus reaumuri, a striking soldier fly of the family Stratiomyidae, shown in relation to the White Epipactus (Cephalanthera damasonium), an orchid of shaded woodlands. Curtis's accompanying text provides details on the fly's distinctive metallic sheen and slender form, while also describing the orchid's pale blossoms and habitat. As with many plates in this celebrated series, the pairing emphasizes the interdependence of insect and plant, combining artistry and science in a lasting record of Britain's natural history.