Beetlemania!

1 April 2003

The ever-popular Seven-Spotted Ladybird adorns the 41c stamp. One of the classic red and black species, this beetle is found in gardens, woodlands and on agricultural land where they are most visible and active in sunny weather. Large numbers of ladybirds come together to hibernate during winter.

The 50c stamp (covering letter postage to Britain) features a Great Diving Beetle. This impressive-looking water beetle may be found in lowland ponds, canals and small lakes where it often grows to 32mm in length.

A beautiful metallic green Leaf Beetle is displayed on the 57c stamp. This early-summer species is found in wetlands where it lives on bulrushes, sedge and reedgrass.

The €1.00 stamp shows a vivid green Great Tiger Beetle, complete with white spots on his body. This large ground beetle lives near gravel tracks in areas of thin blanket peat and dry heath and appears between April and September.

For stamp collectors and beetle fanciers, a €2 Ladybird mini-sheet and colourful First Day Cover is also available from the GPO, Dublin or www.irishstamps.ie