Rain Forest Butterflies - Nature of Australia

 

The stamps are issued on may 4th, 2004 as the final issue in the Nature of Australia definitive series.  The fifth, and final habitat, rainforest as exemplified by the Wet Tropics in far north Queensland, was introduced with Nature of Australia: Rainforest (February 2003).The butterflies like Blue-banded eggfly, Red lacewing,  Cruiser and Ulysses depicted on the stamps are all found in the Daintree region of the Wet Tropics.

 Blue-banded eggfly (Hypolimnas alimena):

This vivid blue butterfly occurs in and at the edges of the rainforest, particularly in lowland areas. The species is common north of Rockhampton and extending to Darwin. The male can often be found perched in sunlight, slowly opening and closing his wings

 

 

 

 

 

Daintree rainforest:

The $2.00 double definitive stamp features a Ulysses (Papilio ulysses) and a red lacewing (Cethosia cydippe) butterfly against a background representative of the rainforest habitat found within Daintree National Park.  Established in 1967, the park occupies 760 km2 around the Daintree River Valley with a section extending to Cape Tribulation. The Daintree Valley is the largest tropical rainforest wilderness remaining in Australia. It is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. 

 

 

 

 

Red lacewing (Cethosia cydippe):

This large, colorful butterfly occurs from Cape York to Townsville. The adults – with their slow, gliding flight – are striking as they fly or settle, wings outspread, in open, sunny spots a few meters above the ground.

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 Cruiser (Vindula arsinoe):

This butterfly occurs only in north-eastern Australia and is common in the Wet Tropics. It has a strong, gliding flight and feeds on lantana and other flowers. The stamp depicts the more colorful male cruiser with its predominantly orange upper side with black markings. The slightly larger and drabber female is brown.