Gene Jarvis: Diadem Butterfly

Artist: Gene Jarvis
1921 - 1990
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1978
Image Size: 9.5 by 9 inches
Overall Size: 12.75 by 12.5 inches
Medium: Pen and Ink on Hot Press Illustration Board

One of the reasons the Diadem is such an intriguing creature is that it has an amazing way of protecting itself from danger. The Diadem is one of the mimic butterflies which means it imitates the appearance of another butterfly to escape its predators. Nature has equipped the Diadem with a special pattern of coloration that greatly resembles that of the African Monarch which is a distasteful creature. Thus, even though the Diadem would actually be a tasty morsel for hungry birds, the birds leave the butterfly alone. Nature has equipped many butterfly species with this unusual protection. But, in order for the protection to work effectively, there are more butterflies that actually are distasteful than there are those that merely mimic the distasteful species. In addition, it is interesting to note that the female butterfly is more often disguised by mimicry than in the male. Apparently nature, in all her wisdom, realized that the male butterfly was needed only for a short time, to fertilize the eggs, while the female butterfly must be allowed to live longer to fulfill the role of motherhood.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Seychelles 25¢ Diadem stamp issued April 10, 1978.

Artwork Copyright © 1978 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB05434

US$ Price: $950.00

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