Action For Species 2: Endangered Insects

Insects are not usually something that I consider to be beautiful. I have always liked butterflies, dragonflies and ladybugs, but others….not so much. They creep, they crawl, they fly, they bite or sting, and some can even jump…oh no!

Great Britain’s Royal Mail released new stamps in their “Action for Species series on April 15, 2008. Each stamp, in the 10 stamp series features, an insect that is endangered in the United Kingdom. The stamps show how beautiful and delicate each insect really is.

This set of endangered insects stamps are the second set issued by Great Britain. The first set in the series, issued in September 2007, featured endangered birds. The insects were photographed in London at the Natural History Museum. They currently hold 28 million insect specimens. Because of a loss in habitat, the insects featured have been put on the endangered list.

The insects depicted on the stamps include: the Adonis Blue Butterfly (my personal favorite), the Southern Damselfly, the Red Barbed Ant, the Barberry Carpet Moth, the Stag Beetle, the Hazel Pot Beetle, the Field Cricket, the Silver-spotted Skipper, the Purbeck Mason Wasp and the Noble Chafer Beetle.

Each species of plant, insect or animal that is placed on an endangered list should be of concern to everyone….no matter what part of the globe you reside. All living things have a purpose on this earth, even if they make you squirm!

"Vampire" Moths Put the Bite on Summer

Colorful butterflies and moths flitting about the garden are one of summer's joys. Not so if you live in Finland. Vampire moths have invaded the usually chilly country, sinking their "fangs" into unsuspecting nature-lovers.

The steadily warming climate has changed the migration path of a species of moth that feeds on human blood, driving it north into Scandinavia. There have been nearly 200 signings of calyptra thalictri, the skin-piercing blood-sucker. The unusual behavior was first documented in Russia last summer. Only male moths suck blood, but both males and females can use their wicked "fangs" to pierce fruit and suck tears from large animals like elk and cows.

An unsettling thought, particularly given the beauty of butterflies and moths. Who knew some of them had a little "bite" underneath that glamorous facade! Fortunately, you have nothing to fear from the colorful African butterfly stamps shown. Issued by St. Thomas, the lovely 9-stamp sheetlet will make a delightful addition to any collection. Click the post title to order from County Stamp Center, and visit our website for all your philatelic needs.