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Arthur Miles-Moss (1873-1948) Born in Liverpool, Arthur Miles-Moss studied at Trinity College, Cambridge. He was ordained deacon in the Church of England in 1895 and then priest the following year. In 1897 he travelled to South America and from 1907 to 1910 he lived in Peru before moving to Pará in Brazil, 100 miles south of the mouth of the river Amazon where he stayed until 1945. In 1912 he built the Pará Anglican Church. His parish covered a vast area of Brazil and he was known as the vicar of the largest parish in the world. In his spare time he began a detailed study of
the insects of the region and amassed a large collection
of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera). He also
reared and made detailed drawings of the caterpillars
and pupae. A talented artist, he also painted many
land- and seascapes, some of which he exhibited
at the Royal Academy, London.
Miles-Moss was an accomplished artist and his drawings of caterpillars continue to be of considerable scientific interest. Miles Moss’drawings provide an accurate record of the vivid colours of the caterpillars in the wild. His drawings are also annotated with observations and details of rearing larvae.
The Arthur Miles-Moss Drawings Collection The Natural History Museum holds an interesting
collection of manuscripts, drawings and photographs
by Arthur Miles-Moss. Of particular note are the
annotated watercolour drawings of caterpillars from
Pará, Brazil. The Natural History Museum purchased
the Miles Moss collection of 25,000 Brazilian Lepidoptera
in 1947. This included many larval specimens that
had not retained the colouration that the living
caterpillar would display. The drawings are also
annotated with observations and details of rearing
larvae.
Exhibition and publication details This drawing has not previously been on public
display.
References and further reading Anon. (1926) [Obituary] Westmorland Gazette, 6 November, 1926. Williams, C.B. (1948) Proceedings of the Royal
Entomological Society of London (C) 12:65
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