Indonesia Butterflies FDCs

Indonesia FDCs
Name: Butterflies
Issue date: 2007 November 5th

Butterflies are insect group of the order of Lepidoptera which means scaly wings, and well known for their remarkable life cycle from egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and then amazing metamorphosis into its adult from (imago). With colourful dazzling pattern of its wings, most of the species are day-flying. Comprising of superfamilies of Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea, butterflies exhibit polymorphism, mimicry and aposematism. Some are developing symbiotic and parasitic relationships with social insects such as ants. Economically, butterflies are important by virtue of being one of the major agents of pollination, although a small number of species are pests on domestic crops and trees.

As adults, butterflies consume only liquids which are sucked by means of their proboscis. Butterflies feed primarily on nectar from flowers. Some also derive nourishment from pollen, tree sap, rotting fruit, dung, and dissolved minerals in we sand or dirt. Butterflies sense the air for scents, wind and nectar using their antennae. These antennae are richly covered with sensillae in various shapes and colours.

Butterflies are strongly correlated with environment. Environmental damage has made butterflies population decreased and in turn reduced the forest diversity. Together with other insects and bats, butterflies help pollinating plants and secure forest dynamics. Today, butterflies are spread out all over the world except in the very cold and arid regions. There are an estimated 17,500 species of butterflies out of about 180,000 species of Lepidoptera. More than 1,600 species are found in Indonesia with almost 40 percent of it categorized as endemic to Indonesia.

Design:
1/4 Delias kristianiae van Mastrigt, 2006
As a family member of Pieridae, this new species is found in Foya Mountain, Papua by Henk van Mastrigt in 2005 and described by him in 2006. The given name is derived from Indonesia’s first lady, Mrs. Kristianti Herawati, to honour and support President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his effort to preserve Indonesian forest and protecting it against illegal logging. Wings span is 4.5 cm.

2/4 Ornithoptera aesacus Ney, 1903
This beautiful birdwing butterfly is an endemic species in Obi Island and not found in other place in the world. Threatened by habitat alteration as well as overcollection due to high demands of collectors, this species should be granted a protection status. Wings span is 12 cm.

3/4 Ornithoptera croesus Wallace, 1859
The beauty of this birdwing butterfly had caused great excitement to Alfred Russel Wallace who found and described this species. This endemic species can be found only in North Maluku and shall be granted a protection status. Wings span is 14.5 cm.

4/4 Troides hypolitus Cramer, 1775
This birdwing butterfly is one out of 19 species protected in Indonesia. This species if found in Sulawesi and Maluku. Wings span is 12 cm.

2007 Indonesia Butterflies FDCs
2008 India Butterflies FDC
2008 India Butterflies Minisheet FDC
2008 Malaysia Butterflies FDC
2008 Malaysia Butterflies Souvenir Sheet FDC