Butterflies,2007

Butterflies are insect group of the order of Lepidoptera which means scaly wings,and well known for their remarkable life cycle from egg,larva (caterpillar),pupa (chrysalis), and then amazing metamorphosis into its adult form (imago). With colorful dazzling pattern of its wings, most the species are day-flying. Comprising of superfamilies of Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea, butterflies exhibit polymorphism,mimicry and aposematism. Some are developing symbiotic and parasitic relationships with social insects such as ants. Economically, butterflies are important by virtue of being one the major agents of pollination, although a smal number of species are pests domestics crops and trees.



As adults,butterflies consume only liquids which are sucked by means of their proboscis. Butterflies feed primarily on nectar from flowers. Some also derive nourishments from pollen,tree sap,rotting fruit,dung,and dissolved minerals in wet sand or dirt. butterflies sense the air for scents,wind and nectar using their antennae. These antennae are richly covered with sensillae in various shapes and colors.



Butterflies are strongly correlated with environment. Environmental damage has made butterflies population decreased and in turn reduced the fores diverly. Together with other insects and bats, butterflies help pollinating plants and secure forest dynamics. today, butterflies are spread out all over the world except in the very cold arid regions. there are estimated 17,500 species of butterflies out of about 180,000 species of Lepidoptera. More than 1,600 species are found in Indonesia with almost 40 percent of it categorized as endemic to Indonesia.



Capturing the beauty of this insect group,the Directorate General Post and Telecommunications of Indonesia issue stamp series "Butterflies" in commemorating Love Flora and Fauna National Day, 5th November 2007. The stamp design features four species of these lovely creatures.



Delias kristianiae van Mastright,2006

As a family member of Pieridae,this new species in found in Foya Mountain, Papua by Henk va Mastright in 2005 and described by him in 2006. The given is derived from Indonesia's lady,Mrs Kristianti Herawati, to honor and support President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his effort to preserve Indonesian forest and protecting it against illegal logging. Wings span is 4.5cm.



Ornithoptera aesacus Ney,1903

This beautiful birdwing butterfly is an endemic species in Obi Island and not found in other place in the world. Threatened by habitat alteration as well as over collection due to high demands of collectors,this species should be granted a protection status. Wings span is 12 cm.



Ornithoptera croesus Wallace,1859

The beauty of this birdwing butterfly had caused great excitement to Alfred Russel Wallace who found and described this species. This endemic species can be found only in North Maluku and shall be granted a protection statue. Wings span 14.5 cm



Troides hypolitus Cramer,1775

This birdwing butterfly is one out of 19 species protected in Indonesia. This species is found in Sulawesi and Maluku. Wing span is 12cm