Trivia about Butterflies III

Butterflies are not only an important order of insects confronting nature lovers, collectors and scientists with innumerable unsolved problems, neither are they dangerous pests threatening man’s economy with great financial losses. Butterflies are frequently his friends in the struggle to achieve harvest and, if he takes the trouble to look closely, are often creatures of unexpected beauty: the colors and forms of these living jewels are magnificent. It will require more that ordinary skill for an artist to reproduce the metallic shimmer of gloss sheen seen in some of the tropical winged jewels. The satisfaction, excitement and delight of the nature lover or the collector who discovers the rare species which has eluded him, is beyond description.

The conservation of our wildlife and our butterflies in particular, some of which are on the verge of extinction, is very important and some thought should be given for its conservation. Let us protect our forests.

	Hebemoia glaucippe philippensis (Wallace, 1893) The largest butterfly in the Pieridae family. The overall color is white, occasionally with yellow tinge. The bright orange triangular marking on the apical forewing is very striking, thus it is given the common name “orange tip”.
	Moduza urdaneta aynii (J. Nuyda 1993) Recently discovered new nymphalid subspecies from Camiguin Island, Babuyanes Group, Northern Luzon. A fast flying butterfly that can be found only in forested areas.
	Lexias satrapes hiwaga (J. Nuyda & Kawamura 1989) Considered as one of the most beautiful diurnal butterfly in Southeast Asia. A luminous purple blue band on the hind wing with white spot markings on the upper forewing accents this butterfly.
	Cberitra orpheus (C. & R. Felder 1862) This butterfly belongs to the Lycaenidae family. Popularly known as the “golden-tailed hairstreak” due to the golden metallic color and long hair-like tails.
	Achillides chikae chikae (Igarashi 1965) Category 1 on the list of CITIES as one of the most endangered species in the world. Habitat: Mountain Province, Northern Luzon
	Arisbe ideaoides ideaoides (Hewitson 1855) National butterfly of the Philippines. This rare mimetic butterfly is endemic only to the Philippines.
	Delias schoenigi hermeli (Samusawa & Kawamura 1988) A high altitude butterfly found in Mt. Kitanlad, Bukidnon, Mindanao.
	Achillides palinurus daedalus (Felder & Felder 1862) More known as the “green rhapsody”. The green metallic sheen color gives a semblance of a symphony while in flight.
	Delias levicki justini (Kawamura 1988) Named after the butterfly collector Justin Nuyda. Can be found at high altitude. Endemic to the mountains of Mindanao.
	Troidaes magellanus (C. & R. Felder 1862) One of the largest butterflies in the Philippines and classified as a bird wing. Category no. 3 to the CITES list of endangered species.

Stamps featuring Butterflies III