Common Birdwing

Set: Nature Series - Butterflies
Date of Issue: 21 April 2010
Stamp Size: 40 mm x 30 mm
Denominations: 1st Local, 80c,$1.10, $2
Designer: Nicodemus Loh F C

Butterflies belong to a group of insects known as Lepidoptera and are mostly day flying. They are most active during the warmer part of the day. Found wherever there are plants, be it in your neighbourhood garden, wildlife refuges, open grasslands or nature parks, they are notable for thier unusual life cycle with a larval caterpillar stage, an inactive pupal stage, and a spectacular metamorphosis into a familiar and colourful winged adult form. The diverse patterns formed by their brightly coloured wings and their erratic yet graceful flight have made butterfly watching a fairly popular hobby.

Common Birdwing (Troides helena cerebrus) is a beautiful and large butterfly belonging to the Swallowtail (Papilionidae) family. With a wingspan of about 13-15 cm for the males, and up to 18 cm for the females, the butterfly is essentially a jungle species. It is drawn to cultivated areas where its larval food plant, Aristolochia tagala (commonly known as the Indian Birthwort), can be found. The black and yellow pattern is a warning coloration to predators that it is distasteful. This species is highly sought after by collectors and is a protected species both in Singapore and Malaysia.

The information was taken here https://shop.vpost.com.sg