Sunday, February 3, 2013

Insects, China

I was ready to go with some butterflies for today's theme of insects, but somehow, the idea didnt really fulfill me, if i could express myself like that...despite butterflies being insects as well, I wanted something that gives that general association of insects...and I was almost to give up, when my eyes spotted this beautiful set of Chinese stamps...and voilà! :) So ill reserve my butterfly stamps for some butterfly theme :)



this set was issued June 28, 1992, where on the first one you can see The Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis) which looks like a long and slender praying mantis, with different shades of brown, and it is typically larger than most other mantises. This species is often erroneously given the taxonomic name of Tenodera aridifolia sinensis, as it is on the stamp featured here.
The second stamp shows the Seven-dots ladybird (Coccinella Septempunctata)which is famous in China, because it preys on pests. There are about 5000 species in the ladybird family and most of them are beneficial insects. They are the natural enemy of aphids on the wheat, earthnut, and cotton.
The third stamp shows the Sympetrum Croceolum that belongs to the dragonfly family. There are about 4000 species in the world and in China they only can be found in the provinces of Fujian, Guangxi, and Jiangxi.
The last, fourth stamp, shows the lacewing fly (Chrysopa septempunctata), that is considered an important, common predator of several insects in China, Japan, Russia, and many parts of Europe. There are about 5000 species of lacewings in the world.

for more cute or not-so-cute insects, click on the button below

14 comments:

  1. I've always thought that ladybirds are pretty that I used to catch them and put them in a jar when I was younger. Only to be told by my grandmother that it wasn't right to do so :( Here in Cambodia, I see pink ones! Great stamps, amiga.

    Postcards Crossing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. when I was a child, I also used to catch ladybirds...and let them crawl over my fingers...we used to believe that one who catches a ladybird, and lets it fly away, it will bring guests to his house...it was like a ritual...having the ladybird in your hand and saying 'fly fly away ladybird, bring me some guests over' :)

      Delete
  2. Ladybirds are common today - I have posted one as well :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love ladybirds, so it is nice seeing all different ones on stamps :)

      Delete
  3. The lacewing is so delicate, but I'm biased in favour of the dragonfly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the dragonfly feels more mystical...like from a fairy tale :)

      Delete
  4. A very pretty set, I like how in the design the insect is coming out of the frame.
    Did you ever hear the English rhyme, which starts, 'Ladybird ladybird, fly away home, your house is on fire, your children are gone'? I can only remember these lines, and looking it up on wiki it seems there were a number of variations to the verse.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladybird_Ladybird

    ReplyDelete
  5. We sing that rhyme too in the USA but it is always lady bug, not ladybird. It's good to see it eating aphids here too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love all four! I cannot remember seeing any praying mantises here in the Seattle area though I lived in Texas and California for a while and remember seeing them in both those states. Ladybugs seem to be everywhere here and always a favorite. Dragonflies are a favorite of mine in the summer months, seeing them flit quickly around the yard. They remind me of miniature airplanes. The lacewing fly is a new one to me. Thanks Ana!

    ReplyDelete
  7. We used to say the ladybird rhyme too, in Ireland. I particularly love dragon flies and theri relatives. They look so pretty darting over the water.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am glad you picked some of the prettier insects.

    ReplyDelete
  9. these are so colourful and pretty, not what you immediately imagine when you hear the word 'insects' i think ;) great set!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I once brought back a lacewing back unintentionally in my holiday luggage. Fascinating creature as are all those on the stamps, love them.

    ReplyDelete