For immediate release 5 February 2014
The ladybird is the latest subject in Guernsey Post’s Invertebrates Series, beautifully illustrated against the landscape of Alderney by renowned artist Petula Stone (issue date 12 February 2014).
The very common but beautiful 7-spot adult ladybird is depicted on two stamps – in the form in which everyone is familiar and occurs everywhere (40p) and also newly hatched, where it is bright yellow with no markings (53p).
Another common species occurring in Alderney is the 2-spot ladybird, whose coloration and patterning can be quite variable, often with its colour reversed. Seen in gardens, woodland and hedgerows, the larvae and adults can be found on plants hunting for small insects, although they tend to favour aphids and plant-lice (55p).
The white spotted Orange ladybird is numerous in Alderney where sycamores are spreading. It hibernates in leaf litter or in sheltered locations. However, it is seen less often as it is quite small, less distinctively coloured and lives high in deciduous trees (63p).
Completing the Alderney set is the Harlequin ladybird, a more recent colonist in the island. Similar in size to the 7-Spot, the Harlequin varies in colour to an astonishing degree, as seen on the two stamps (71p and 79p). It was originally introduced into Europe due to its effectiveness in eliminating aphids; however, it soon became apparent that it ate virtually all insects - including other ladybirds.
The Harlequin first became common in Alderney in 2005-6 and initially seemed to be spreading out of control. However in 2013 numbers seem to be much reduced.
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post commented: - “For the past six years we have produced stamps which depict some of the fascinating invertebrates to be found in the tiny yet diverse island of Alderney. Our ladybird issue is no exception, beautifully illustrated once again by Petula Stone.”
The stamps are available to pre-order now at www.guernseystamps.com or by calling Philatelic Customer Services on (01481) 716486.
-End release-
Press enquiries to:
Sarah Amies, pr consultant to Guernsey Post, stamps, 01484 687040
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic, 01481 733524
Specification details: -
Date of issue: 12 February 2014
Designer: Petula Stone
Printer: BDT International
Value: 40p, 53p, 55p, 63p, 71p, 79p
Process: Offset lithography
Stamp size: 30.56mm deep x 38mm wide
Sheet size 100mm deep x 140 mm wide
Paper: 110 gsm unwatermarked / PVA adhesive
Perforation: 13.75
Cylinder: A
ENDS