| The
Stamps
The set of two stamps present the
Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) and the Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea)
the Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum)
derives its name from the vivid red colour of the male's abdomen. The all-black
legs of the Ruddy Darter distinguish it from the otherwise very similar
brickred Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum). It attains a wingspan of
up to 60 mm, the back wing measuring 23 to 29 mm, while the abdomen measures
24 to 29 mm. The wings are transparent with a pterostigma which is lighter
brownish-red along the edges and has a dark centre. The Ruddy Darter is
to be found throughout Europe as far south as northern Africa and as far
east as Siberia.
A male Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea)
can be distinguished by the darker colour of its abdomen and the green
spots and blue markings in a mosaic pattern on its lower abdomen. It has
a wingspan of up to 95 mm and the body grows as long as 51 to 60 mm. The
transparent wings have a russet pterostigma. Found in large parts of Europe,
the Southern Hawker can also be seen in northern Africa and the western
parts of Asia.
The
Sheet
The gutter lines of the sheets
The stamps issued in sheet of 30
(3 x 5 + gutter + 3 x 5).
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