In 1699, Merian traveled to Dutch Surinam to study and record the tropical insects.
The pursuit of her work in Suriname was an unusual endeavour, especially for a woman.
In general, only men received royal or government funding to travel in the colonies to find new species of plants and animals, make collections and work there, or settle.
Scientific expeditions at this period of time were not common, and Merian's self-funded expedition raised many eyebrows.
She succeeded, however, in discovering a whole range of previously unknown animals and plants in the interior of Suriname.
Merian spent time studying and classifying her findings and described them in great detail.
She not only described the insects she found, but also noted their habitat, habits and uses to indigenous people.
Her classification of butterflies and moths is still relevant today.
She used Native American names to refer to the plants, which became used in Europe:
I created the first classification for all the insects which had chrysalises, the daytime butterflies and the nighttime moths.
The second classification is that of the maggots, worms, flies, and bees.
I retained the indigenous names of the plants, because they were still in use in America by both the locals and the Indians.

Merian's drawings of plants, frogs, snakes, spiders, iguanas, and tropical beetles are still collected today by amateurs all over the world.
The German word Vogelspinne—(a spider of the infraorder Mygalomorphae), translated literally as bird spider—probably has its origins in an engraving by Merian.
The engraving, created from sketches drawn in Suriname, shows a large spider who had just captured a bird.
In the same engraving and accompanying text Merian was the first European to describe both army ants and leaf cutter ants as well as their effect on other organisms.
Merian's depictions of tropical ants were subsequently cited and copied by other artists.
Her depictions of the struggle among organisms predates Charles Darwin and Lord Tennyson theories on the struggle for survival and evolution.

In 1705, three years after returning from her expedition, she published Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium.
Metamorphosis first was published at her own expense.
Merian had returned from Suriname with sketches and notes.
As the word spread among scholars in Amsterdam visitors came to view her paintings of exotic insects and plants.
She noted "Now that I had returned to Holland and several nature-lovers had seen my drawings, they pressured me eagerly to have them printed.
They were of the opinion that this was the first and most unusual work ever painted in America."
Merian with the assistance of her daughters Johanna and Dorothea put together a series of plates.
She did not make the printing plates herself this time, but hired three printmakers to do the engraving.
She supervised the work closely.
To pay for this work she advertised for subscribers, who were willing to give her money in advance for a hand-painted deluxe edition of the Metamorphosis.
Twelve subscribers paid in advance to receive the expensive hand painted edition, while a less expensive printed edition in black and white was also published.
After her death the book was reprinted in 1719, 1726 and 1730, finding a larger audience.
It was published in German, Dutch, Latin and French.
Merian contemplated publishing the book in English, so that she could present it to the queen of England.
She mused "It is reasonable for a woman to make such a gift to a person of the same sex".
But nothing came of the plan.

Metamorphosis and the tropical ants Merian documented were cited by the scientists René Antoine, August Johann Rösel von Rosenhof, Mark Catesby and George Edwards.
Merian's Metamorphosis has been credited with influencing a range of naturalist illustrators.
Merian also documented the medicinal use of plants and animals by the people of Suriname.
She documented among others that the sap from a palm was used rubbed into itchy scalps to treat worm infections.
Merian also took an interest in agriculture and among the loca
In 1699, Merian traveled to Dutch Surinam to study and record the tropical insects. The pursuit of her work in Suriname was an unusual endeavour, especially for a woman. In general, only men received royal or government funding to travel in the colonies to find new species of plants and animals, make collections and work there, or settle. Scientific expeditions at this period of time were not common, and Merian's self-funded expedition raised many eyebrows. She succeeded, however, in discovering a whole range of previously unknown animals and plants in the interior of Suriname. Merian spent time studying and classifying her findings and described them in great detail. She not only described the insects she found, but also noted their habitat, habits and uses to indigenous people. Her classification of butterflies and moths is still relevant today. She used Native American names to refer to the plants, which became used in Europe:
I created the first classification for all the insects which had chrysalises, the daytime butterflies and the nighttime moths. The second classification is that of the maggots, worms, flies, and bees. I retained the indigenous names of the plants, because they were still in use in America by both the locals and the Indians.
Merian's drawings of plants, frogs, snakes, spiders, iguanas, and tropical beetles are still collected today by amateurs all over the world. The German word Vogelspinne—(a spider of the infraorder Mygalomorphae), translated literally as bird spider—probably has its origins in an engraving by Merian. The engraving, created from sketches drawn in Suriname, shows a large spider who had just captured a bird. In the same engraving and accompanying text Merian was the first European to describe both army ants and leaf cutter ants as well as their effect on other organisms. Merian's depictions of tropical ants were subsequently cited and copied by other artists. Her depictions of the struggle among organisms predates Charles Darwin and Lord Tennyson theories on the struggle for survival and evolution.
In 1705, three years after returning from her expedition, she published Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium. Metamorphosis first was published at her own expense. Merian had returned from Suriname with sketches and notes. As the word spread among scholars in Amsterdam visitors came to view her paintings of exotic insects and plants. She noted "Now that I had returned to Holland and several nature-lovers had seen my drawings, they pressured me eagerly to have them printed. They were of the opinion that this was the first and most unusual work ever painted in America." Merian with the assistance of her daughters Johanna and Dorothea put together a series of plates. She did not make the printing plates herself this time, but hired three printmakers to do the engraving. She supervised the work closely. To pay for this work she advertised for subscribers, who were willing to give her money in advance for a hand-painted deluxe edition of the Metamorphosis. Twelve subscribers paid in advance to receive the expensive hand painted edition, while a less expensive printed edition in black and white was also published. After her death the book was reprinted in 1719, 1726 and 1730, finding a larger audience. It was published in German, Dutch, Latin and French. Merian contemplated publishing the book in English, so that she could present it to the queen of England. She mused "It is reasonable for a woman to make such a gift to a person of the same sex". But nothing came of the plan.
Metamorphosis and the tropical ants Merian documented were cited by the scientists René Antoine, August Johann Rösel von Rosenhof, Mark Catesby and George Edwards. Merian's Metamorphosis has been credited with influencing a range of naturalist illustrators. Merian also documented the medicinal use of plants and animals by the people of Suriname. She documented among others that the sap from a palm was used rubbed into itchy scalps to treat worm infections. Merian also took an interest in agriculture and among the loca
Maria Sibylla Merian