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2005, December 2.  Philippine Butterflies

Litho Offset.  APO Production Unit, Inc.,  Perf. 14 1/4

Se-tenant Blocks of 4, Sheets of 100 (10 x 10)

 

     

Se-tenant Blocks of Four  (491,250)*

    21p   Cethosia biblis barangingi

    21p   Menalaides polytes ledebouria

    21p   Appias nero palawanica

    21p   Udara tyotaroi

* Original quantity: 375,000 B/4 plus additional printing of 93,750 and renegotiated quantity of 22,500, total of 491,250 B/4.

Photographer:  Catherine Grace Tan

Graphic Artist:  Hans Lerwyn Villarica

Design Coordinator:  Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak

Designs:  From the collection of Justin "Tiny" Nuyda

 

First Day Covers:  Manila

 

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PHILIPPINE BUTTERFLIES

A veritable paradise for butterfly collectors and nature-lovers, the PHILIPPINES is home to all the families of Rhopalocera (butterfly) in the Indo­Australian region. Be one a collector, a nature-lover, a scientist.... in pursuit of his calling or a captive adventurer driven by the spirit of chase, one will encounter, to his satisfaction and delight, the numerous species found throughout the archipelago. 

The epitome of aerial freedom, able to move through our natural world in three dimensions, and mysterious in their fantastic transformations from one stage of their life cycle to the next, butterflies are truly creatures of wonder. Dig into their world, explore their fascinating adaptations and natural history, and see what attracts people from all walks of life to these winged jewels.

Cethosia biblis barangingi (Tsukafa, 1985). Inhabits southernmost Philippines: Bongao, Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo. The intense bright red-orange color of the wings in flight makes this species one of the most attractive butterflies. 

Menalaides polytes ledebouria (Escsholtz, 1821). Common once upon a time but now uncommon perhaps due to progress. The butterfly can be seen all year round and is distributed throughout the archipelago. Can be found around human habitations and also thrives in secondary forests. 

Appias hero palawanica (Staudinger, 1889). A popular orange pierid butterfly distributed in the Chinese peninsula to Sundaland and the Philippines. Subspecies A. n. palawanica can be found in Palawan. The female has three forms- orange, yellow and white discal band on its wings.

Udara tyotaroi (Eliot & Kawazoe, 1983). Found only in the high altitude areas of Mt. Apo, Southern Mindanao. This tiny butterfly belongs to the Lycaenidae family, commonly known as hairstreaks, pearls or blues, due to the metallic iridiscent light to dark blue color sheen.

 

TOPICAL CATEGORIES

• Butterflies

• Insects

Articles by Dr. Ngo TiongTak