The Butterflies–III of Liechtenstein

The “Butterflies – III” issue, again designed by Stefan Erne, depicts two more harbingers of spring, the Orange Tip and the Peacock.

The stamps have been issued by Liechtenstein Post on June 6, 2011.

 
 

The “Peacock”, Inachis io (face value CHF 2.20) from the Nymphalidae family was the “Butterfly of the Year 2009”. The Peacock can be found in woods, fields, meadows, pastures, parks, and gardens, and from lowlands up to 2,500 metres elevation. It is a relatively common butterfly seen in many European parks and gardens. 

Because of global warming this butterfly now regularly forms a second generation in the late summer, it has been chosen to draw attention to the consequences of climate change. The Peacock butterfly is resident in much of its range, often wintering in buildings or trees. It therefore often appears quite early in spring.

The conspicuous black, blue and yellow eyespots on its russet-coloured wings serve as effective protection for the Peacock against its natural enemies. When danger threatens, in a flash the butterfly spreads its wings to display their striking upper side, leading the predator to imagine itself confronted by a large creature proportional to the eye(spot)s.

 

The Orange Tip  or  Anthocharis cardamines (face value CHF 5.00), whose German name the “Aurora” Butterfly was inspired by the goddess of the dawn, can be observed in spring in large swarms in Liechtenstein’s valley landscape.

Both males and females of this species of White have white wings, the outer half of the forewings being coloured orange only on the males. The males are a common sight in spring flying along hedgerows and damp meadows in search of the more reclusive female which lacks the orange.The irregular yellowish/dirty green and white speckled pattern on the underside of the hind wings is however common to both sexes.

 

Blogger Tags: Liechtenstein, Butterflies stamp, The Orange Tip, The Peacock

Butterflies of Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein Post issued the stamp series depicted butterflies species on year 2010. The issuance comprised of three stamps featured the species Coenonympha oedippus, Gonepteryx rhamni,Papilio machaon.

Coenonympha oedippus

The False Ringlet (Coenonympha oedippus) is a species of butterfly in the Satyridae family. It is found in Austria, Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Mongolia, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Ukraine. It is extinct in Bulgaria, Germany and Slovakia.The false ringlet butterfly is endangered and is extinct is some lands.

Gonepteryx rhamni

The Common Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) is a butterfly of the Pieridae family. It lives in Europe, North Africa and Asia; across much of its range, it is the only species of its genus, and is therefore simply known locally as "the brimstone".On the upper side the male is sulphur yellow and the female white with a greenish tinge but both have an orange spot in the centre of each wing. They never settle with their wings open.G. rhamni is one of the longest lived butterflies, living up to thirteen months, although most of this time is spent in hibernation.

Papilio machaon

The Old World Swallowtail, Papilio machaon, is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae. The butterfly is also known as the Common Yellow Swallowtail or simply the Swallowtail (a common name applied to all members of the family). It is the type species of the genus Papilio and occurs throughout the Palearctic region in Europe and Asia.The butterfly has a strong and fast flight, but frequently pauses to hover over flowering herbs and sip nectar. It frequents the alpine meadows and hillsides and is fond of 'hilltopping' – congregating near summits to compete for passing females.At lower elevations it can also be seen visiting gardens.

Blogger Tags: Liechtenstein, Coenonympha oedippus, Gonepteryx rhamni, Papilio machaon