2020-08-11 Tue

Ascension is an isolated volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean. The island is looked after by the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha. The Island is rich in Flora and Fauna.

The philately department of Ascension Island issued 5 types of butterflies on 1st September 1995. These were long-tailed blue‘Lampidesboeticus’, painted lady or Vanessa cardui, diadem orHypolimnasmisippus, African monarch orDanauschrysippus, and red admiral or Vanessa atalanta.

Herewith, the miniature sheet is of red admiral or Vanessa atalanta butterfly. It is well characterized, a medium-sized butterfly with black wings, red bands, and white spots. They like to reside in warmer areas. The adult butterfly drinks from flowering plants like Buddleia and overripe fruit. Red admiral females will only mate with males that hold territory. Males with superior flight abilities get a chance to court females.

Image Courtesy: Stampsoftheworld.co.uk