Yan Bingwu (Chinese, B. 1954) & Yang Wenqing (Chinese, B. 1951) "Dung Beetle" Signed and stamped lower right. Original 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 Dung Beetle Classic Collection Series stamp issued October 1, 1999.

Dung Beetles belong to the Scarabaeidae family, one of the largest beetle families, with over 30,000 species. In ancient Egypt, these insects were believed to represent the sun and were considered sacred. Their images were depicted on Egyptian monuments, bas-reliefs, seals and jewelry. Egyptians believed a giant celestial scarab kept the Earth revolving, in the same way that the tiny ground scarab made its dung ball revolve. These scavenging insects occur in or near dung, manure and carrion. Using dung, they form a large ball much bigger than themselves, then roll it a certain distance before digging a hole beneath the ball. Once the ball drops into the hole, it's buried and serves as food for the Dung Beetle, who eats more than its weight in one day. At breeding time, a pair of male and female dung beetles roll and bury a large ball of dung. After reshaping it underground, the female lays an egg in the roll. The larva feeds on the ball and stays underground until it emerges from the pupal stage, then it makes its way to the surface. Known in the United States as tumblebugs, Dung Beetles are harmless insects that benefit man by keeping the ground fertile for planting.

Size: 14.75 x 12 in.
Unframed.
(B16500)

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