Red Lacewing (Cethosia biblis)

Butterflies and moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera, are fascinating creatures with a rich history dating back to the Cretaceous period, about 135 million years ago. With approximately 220 thousand species, including nearly 45 thousand butterflies, they are among the most diverse insects on Earth. The tropics, with their lush forests and vibrant flowers, host the richest variety of butterflies.

The wings of butterflies are renowned for their beauty and elegance, inspiring admiration from people across cultures. American naturalist Donald Culross Peatties aptly remarked, “Man with all his looms and dyes cannot create anything half so exquisite as a butterfly’s wing.” Despite their delicate appearance, butterflies possess survival strategies such as protective resemblance and mimicry. For example, the kallima butterfly resembles a decayed leaf when at rest, while the Viceroy butterfly mimics the inedible Monarch to evade predators.

The beauty of butterflies has been celebrated in poetry and art throughout history. However, many species are now threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction caused by human activity. To raise awareness about these beautiful creatures, stamps featuring endemic butterfly species from the Indian Subcontinent have been issued. One such species is the Cethosia biblis, also known as the “Red Lace Wing” for the intricate patterns on its wings. Found in various regions including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Assam, and Sikkim, this butterfly displays fearless behavior and vibrant warning colors to deter predators. Its food plant, the passion-flower, is as stunning as the butterfly itself.

In addition to the Cethosia biblis, stamps also depict other endemic species such as Stichophthalma camadeva, Cyrestis achates, and Teinopalpus imperialis, highlighting the diverse and exquisite beauty of butterflies in the Indian Subcontinent.