Butterfly on Ireland stamps 2000

In 2000, Ireland Post has issued the beautiful mini sheet stamps depicted the four butterflies in the flower plant. The species are Inachis Io, Aglais urticae, Argynnis paphia, Anthocharis cardamines.

Inachis Io or the Peacock can be found in woods, fields, meadows, pastures, parks, and gardens, and from lowlands up to 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) elevation. It is a relatively common butterfly seen in many European parks and gardens.

Aglais urticae is a well-known colourful butterfly, found in temperate Europe. This is a species often found in gardens. The common named is The Small Tortoiseshell.

Argynnis paphia or Silver-washed Fritillary is a European species of butterfly, which was in decline for much of the 1970s and 1980s, but seems to be coming back to many of its old territories. Its has deep orange with black spots on the upper side of its wings, and has a wingspan of 54–70 mm, with the male being smaller and paler than the female. The underside is green, and, unlike other fritillaries, has silver streaks instead of silver spots, hence the name silver-washed.

Anthocharis cardamines is a butterfly in the Pieridae family and have orange tip to his forewings. Therefore so called the Orange tip butterfly. It can be found across Europe.