Vanishing VIII (Hawaiian Sphinx Moth)

Holly Downing

This hand-colored mezzotint is from a series of prints Holly Downing has been doing featuring vanishing species, in this case, invertebrates. Each impression is printed in black and then hand-colored by the artist. There may be slight variations between impressions.

According to Downing, the Hawaiian Green Sphinx Moth is endemic to the Hawaiian Island. The Sphinx Moth was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1998. Still considered endangered, the moths live in dry forests and lowland moist forests.