| Postal Stamp Image |
: |
 |
| Stamp Issue Date |
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20/10/1981 |
| Postage Stamp Dinomination |
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0.50 |
| Postal Stamp Serial Number |
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1020 |
| Postal Stamp Name |
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CETHOSIA BIBLIS |
| Stamp Information |
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Butterflies and moths belong to the order Lepidoptera (derived from the Greek words Lepis meaning wing) under the class of the animal kingdom. The first vague traces of these insects occur in the Cretaceous period (about 135 million years ago), and they appeared as a well developed order in the Tertiary era (about 65 million years ago). The Lepidoptera comprise about 220 thousand species of which nearly 45 thousand are butterflies.
There is no region on earth that can offer a richer variety of butterflies than the tropics. The tropical forests, profusely adorned with elegant grasses, varieties of beatiful flowers amidst the verdant foliage are the haven of some of the most resplendent and exquisitely fascinating butterflies.
Few others insects can boast of wings as large or as beautiful as those of some of the butterflies as those of some of the butterflies?their soul and their very existence seem to be in their wings. According to the American naturalist, Donald Culross Peatties, ?Man with all his looms and dyes cannot create anything half so exquisite as a butterfly?s wing?. At the same time butterflies are among the weakest creatures on earth and can exert little force against their enemies. Nature therefore has provided them with an ample measure of wiles which they use for survival. ?Protective resemblance? and ?mimicry? are two such specialisations resorted to by butterflies and months for self preservation. The most dramatic example of protective resemblance is seen in the beautiful kallima butterfly which at rest looks like a decayed leaf clining to the stem. The Viceroy butterfly mimics the inedible Monarch to escape from predators.
The sublime beauty of these winged wanders with their endless variety of hues and patterns has provided the theme for poetry and lore of bothe East and West. Their grace and beauty have inspired bards and artists of all ages to capture their essence in poetry and art. It is unfortunate, however, that many species of butterflies are in danger of extinction due to the ruthless devastation of their habitat by man. It is with a sense of stamps on four of the several species of butterflies endemic to the Indian Subcontinent.
1)Stichophthalma camadeva, 2) Cethosia biblis, 3) Cyrestis achates, and 4) Teinopalpus imperialis.
? Cethosia biblis : This glorious butterfly is popularly known as the ?Red Lace Wing? because of the intricate patterns on its wings. It is found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Assam, Sikkim and the adjoining regions, at elevations up to 2100 meters. From March to December, and abundantly during the wet weather, it is seen on flowers within forests and along their borders at river edges. An inedible species, it has a fearless demeanour and indulges in the luxury of slow flight, during which it flashes its underside warning colours of red and orange at any predator. The food plant is the passion-flowe, whose blooms are as gorgeous as the butterfly itself.
The first Day Cover depicts Papillio buddha, or the Malabar Banded Peacock, a member of the Swallowtail group. Unlike the closely related indian species Papilio blumei, ?ranked among the most delightful butterflies of the world?, the Buddha renounced showmanship and is much admired by butterfly-lovers. It flies quickly and high, and can be seen through out the year, except in June and July, in the hill regions of southern India. The green caterpillars feed on Xanthoxylum rhetsa.
(Consultant for text : S. N. Tata) |
| Philatelic Stamp Description |
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The design of the stamp is based on paintings by M. Mandal and depict Cethosia biblis (50p) butterfly. First day cover designed by M. Mandal shows Papilio buddha. Cancellation was designed by Charanjit Lal. |
| Stamp Currency |
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P |
| Stamp Type |
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COMMEMORATIVE |
| Stamp Language |
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English |
| Stamp Overall Size |
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3.91 X 2.90 cms |
| Postal Stamp Print Size |
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3.55 X 2.5 cms. |
| Number of Stamps Per Sheet |
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35 |
| Stamp Perforations |
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13 x 13 |
| Postal Stamp Shape |
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Horizontal |
| Postage Stamp Paper |
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Unwatermarked adhesive Gravure coated stamp paper |
| Indian Stamp Process |
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Photogravure |
| Number of stamps printed |
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20,00,000 |
| Stamp Printed At |
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India Security Press |
| Indian Stamp's Color |
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Multicolour |
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