Yan Bingwu (Chinese, B. 1954) & Yang Wenqing (Chinese, B. 1951) "Monarch Caterpillar" Signed lower left. Watercolor on Silk/Rice Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the 33c Monarch Caterpillar Classic Collection Series stamp issued October 1, 1999. Caterpillar is the common name for the larvae of a moth or butterfly. These wormlike creatures are identified by segmented, fleshy bodies sporting short, jointed legs on the thorax. On some abdominal segments, they also have unjointed, fleshy appendages called prolegs, which end in a cluster of tiny hooks. Most caterpillars are vegetarian and boast powerful jaws for chewing. During the pupa stage, the chewing mouth parts and the prolegs disappear as the larvae are transformed into adults. Caterpillars continuously exude a silk strand as they move along a leaf or stem. Many species use the silk to build a cocoon in which to pupate. The Monarch Caterpillar bears conspicuous white, yellow and black stripes. Two pairs of black fleshy filaments on the body's fore and hind parts are distinctive traits of this unique creature. The Monarch Caterpillar feeds on various milkweed plants, all of which are poisonous. Because grazing animals avoid milkweed, the Monarch Caterpillar does not run the risk of being accidentally eaten. In addition, the plant toxins are stored in the insect's haemolymph or "blood," so it is poisonous in all stages, thus protecting it from predation by other insects, birds or small mammals. Image Size: 14.25 x 12.25 in. Overall Size: 14.25 x 12.25 in. Unframed. (B16502)