Abeilles de Taïwan. Bees of Taiwan.

 J'ai le plaisir de vous présenter aujourd'hui un superbe bloc-feuillet consacré à différentes sortes d'abeilles émis le 12 Juillet 2012 par la poste de Taïwan (Chunghwa Post). Ce bloc-feuillet a été édité pour souligner l'importance de ces insectes dans la pollinisation des végétaux, à tel point que leur disparition pourrait amener des famines! Merci Kia Hsu pour cette superbe lettre recommandée.

Bees play an important role in pollinating flowering plants. Their disappearance could lead to food shortages. In order to raise understanding about bees and pay more attention to the conservation of ecology, Chunghwa Post has issued a souvenir sheet which comprises six stamps, each featuring a bee species of Taiwan. The designs follow: 1. Phimenes flavopictus (NT$5): This predatory wasp has yellow markings on its black body, giving it coloring that resembles that of a yellow and black striped tiger. Females build their mud nests in places such as tree trunks and cliff-face crevices. It is also called the “tiger-striped potter wasp” in Chinese.2. Apis mellifera (NT$10): Commonly known as the western honey bee, most of them have a yellowish brown chest. The species’ worker bees have specialized pollen baskets, which can be found on the tibia of their hind legs.3. Xanthopimpla pedator (NT$5): The range of this parasitic wasp was once used to control she-oak pests.4. Xylocopa tranquebarorum (NT$10): This pollinator has almost dark black body. Its wings have a purple, copper sheen to them. Females build their nests by boring holes into dead bamboo.5. Vespa ducalis (NT$5): This stinging wasp has two golden yellow rings on its abdomen which are its most salient feature. Its last four abdominal segments are black.6. Apis cerana (NT$10): Commonly known as the eastern honey bee, this pollinator lives in the wild mostly. Its appearance greatly resembles the western honey bee. It has alternating yellow and black stripes on its abdomen.