COVER N.8 - Germany

Postmarks "Berlin - Deutsche Post Philatelie" and "Berlin Erstausgabe - Gefärdete nationale Wildtiere" (Berlin First Day - Threatened National Wildlife)
Posted on the 27h May, received on the 1st June.

__________________________________________________________________________________

On the 1st June, the International Children's day, it was only natural that I would feel like a spoiled child after having receivd a most wondeful present, as no other words could convey my feelings when looking at the outstandingly beautiful First Day Cover I got from Ulf, from Germany. Thank you so much!

I do have a soft spot for some types of insects, especially coleoptera, odonata and lepidotra, so scientific illustrations of bettles, dragonflies or butterflies will always awe me, as it was the case with the stamp issued this year by Deutsche Post for the annual "Europa" Series, dedicated to "Endangered National Wildlife".

Also, when talking about endangered species, it is preety common to hear about mamals, birds, even reptiles, but insects don't usually get that kind of general public attention, so "Well done" Deutsche post for chosing endangered beetles for the Europa stamp.

Reading a machine translated version of the notes on this emission in the Deutsche Post philatelic newsletter, it is possible to learn that the three coleopters on the 0,80€ stamp are:

 - Mycetoma suturale, the Harzporling-Dusterkäferis as it is called in German, considered to be a relic of  the primeval forest that thrives in undisturbed habitats, something that is getting scarcer and scarcer nowadays, hence its presence in the Red List of  endangered species. The species belongs to the Melandryidae family, and measures 6 to 7,5 mm.

 - Ceruchus chrysomelinus, or Rindenschröter as it is called in German, a member of the Lucanidae family, measuring 11-16 mm. It has also Red List status, being found far west as Siberia and as far north as Sweden and Finland. 

 - Tragosoma depsarium, a beetle of the  Cerambycidae family, whose main feature is their long antennae. Its conservation status ranges from endangered to critically endangered and although it prefers the cool regions of the North and Siberia, it can also be found in the Alps. The species measures between 18 and 36 mm.

Presumably included to attain the tariff needed for expedition to Portugal the cover also includes on the left side  a 0,30€ stamp, depicting a Tiger daylily (Hemerocallis fulva), issued in 2020 as part of the definitive "flowers" emission started in 2005.