Azerbaijan Butterflies of 2010

Azerbaijan Post has issued the definitive stamp series of butterflies on January 11,  2010.The issuance stamps consist of 2 stamps depicted Thaleropis jonia fisch, and Danais chrysippus.

Thaleropis jonia is An endangered species of butterflies and distributed in southern slopes of  Zangazour and Daralayaz chain of mountains.
Their habitat in Slopes with xerophilous bushy vegetation or sparse forests, rarely found.The reasons that cause change of the number is  Hunting by amateur collectors.

Butterflies fly out in May and June. During daytimes they settle on paths, near springs and ponds; they like settling on lower branches of trees and mostly on the branches of esa and willow. Late June they lay eggs just on these branches. Caterpillar are fed with the leaves of willow in June and early August and then pupate in various shelters and pupas winter there. They breed once a year. Those parasitizing on pupas are small hymenopterans related to Chalcidae family.

Danais chrysippus, known as the Plain Tiger or African Monarch, is a common butterfly which is widespread in Asia and Africa. It belongs to the Danainae ("Milkweed butterflies") subfamily of the brush-footed butterfly family, Nymphalidae.

The Plain Tiger is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 7–8 cm. The body is black with many white spots. The wings are tawny the upper side being brighter and richer than the underside. The apical half of the fore wing is black with a white band. The hind wing has 3 black spots around the centre. The hind wing has a thin border of black enclosing a series of semi-circular white spots.The male Plain Tiger is smaller than the female, but more brightly coloured.

It is found in every kind of country including the desert (pending availability of food) and right up into the mountains till 9000 feet. Primarily this species is a butterfly of open country and gardens.