These "top-up" stamps, issued in 2010, feature the dogbane beetle (Chrysochus auratus).

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Pane of 50 "top-up" stamps worth 9¢ each
Use as a "top-up" to transform denominated stamps into current-rate U.S., International and Oversize postage
Perfect for children as an introduction to stamp collecting

About Beneficial Insects low value definitives

This collection of low value definitives issued in 2010 features five of Canada's beneficial insects: the paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus), the assassin bug (Zelus luridus), the large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus), the margined leatherwing (Chauliognathus marginatus) and the dogbane beetle (Chrysochus auratus).

About the dogbane beetle

They skitter, scamper, and sometimes sting; we call them bugs for our own reasons. But, as any veteran gardener will tell you, one person's pest is another person's helper. The dogbane beetle is a wonder to watch at work in the garden, where its larvae help wildflower gardeners and farmers by feeding on milkweed roots.

About the design

Designed and illustrated by Keith Martin, these playful stamps feature the dogbane beetle. The insect's polished and metallic sheen is the focal point of the stamp. Set against a leafy green, garden-inspired background, its iridescent colours transition seamlessly from deep teal and vivid pinks to opulent oranges and rich yellows. The bug's six precise legs gently grip the delicate leaf below as its Latin name, Chrysochus auratus, floats above it in white italic letters. Dark edges fade into a unified border, framing the illustration and allowing the 50 stamps to blend into one another on the pane.

Product # 420009107

Beneficial Insects: Low value definitive stamps (9¢) - pane of 50