BENGALURU: S Ramani, an entomologist from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, is also a philatelist who loves collecting stamps on insects from across the globe. The scientist has combined his twin passions to explain the lifecycle of insects at a stamp exhibition in the city.A set of stamps from Ramani’s collection, on display at the three-day Postpex 2018, spells out everything about butterflies and dragonflies right from their birth to death, and shows how they are different from other insects. Organised by India Post, the exhibition is being held at Karnataka Government Secretariat Club in Cubbon Park.Ramani (in pic above) uses his collection — he has 2,000 stamps on 22 insect categories — to teach students in the university and kids at exhibitions. “I began collecting stamps 30 years ago. They are a means of communicating with and educating students,” he said.His collection shows the significance of insect migrations across the world. “A stamp that is precious to me is of the monarch mutterfly, released by Mexico in 1994. It celebrates 50 years of the diplomatic relationship between Canada and Mexico. This butterfly migrates from Canada to Mexico to escape the harsh winter,” said Ramani, who was the guest speaker at the exhibition on Friday.From the first stamp on insects in 1935 to the first one on butterflies in 1981, Ramani’s treasure trove contains it all. Most stamps on insects have been released by the African subcontinent so far.

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