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Mark Ines Russell (1949- ) Mark Russell was employed as an entomologist by the Natural History Museum between 1971 and 1975, during which time he worked on the beetle (Coleoptera) collection. After leaving the Museum, he travelled extensively in Europe, Africa and South America and became fascinated by weevils. He has subsequently amassed a personal collection of this fascinating and diverse group of beetles. A self-trained artist, Russell developed his artistic skills by drawing large-scale pictures of weevils in meticulous detail. He also used a microscope to magnify the detail of each specimen that he drew. His style of artwork has been influenced by the work of artists such as Bernard Durin, Masashi Kimura, Aldi de Oyarzabel, Amedeo Terzi and Elisabetta Diamanti.
This drawing of the weevil Rhopalomesites tardyi shows in great detail all the features of this species of beetle. Experts on weevils working in the Natural History Museum have commented on the amazing scientific accuracy of Mark Russell's drawings.
Weevils represent a large family of beetles (Curculionidae). Many weevils are covered in small scales, which can be brightly covered. Some species are serious pests of plants. This weevil (Rhopalomesites tardyi), the holly weevil, is not uncommon in Britain and is also found in the North Atlantic Islands and the Azores. The larvae are found in the deadwood of holly and broad-leaved trees. Find out more about British beetles.
The Mark Russell Drawings Collection In 2000, the Natural History Museum purchased two examples of Mark Russell's work as fine examples of late twentieth century scientific illustration.
Exhibition and publication details This drawing has not previously been displayed to the public.
References and further reading Morris, M. (2002) True Weevils. Part. 1, Coleoptera: Curculionidae (subfamilies Raymondionyminae to Smicronychinae). Royal Entomological Society: London. 149pp. Russell, D. (2001) Apionidae of the Western Palaearctic:
Introduction and Synopsis of Tribes. Crocodile Press:
Peterborough. 24pp. |
