Slovenia 2002 "Fossils - Insect from the Oligocene"

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Issue Date	21.03.2002
ID	Michel: 394; Scott: 485; Stanley Gibbons: 546; Yvert et Tellier: 363 Category: pF
Design	Design: Matjaz Ucakar, Photo: Marjan Grm
Stamps in set	1
Value	C-rate (95 T.) - Hairfly
Emission/Type	commemorative
Places of issue	Trbovlje
Size (width x height)	28.80 x 40.32 mm
Layout	Sheet of 25 stamps
Products	FDC x1
Paper	Chancellor oba free L.S.PVA GMD 102g, gummed
Perforation	14 x 14
Print Technique	Offset lithography, 4 colours
Printed by	DELO - TISKARNA d. d., Ljubljana
Quantity	100.000
Issuing Authority	Posta Slovenije

On March 21^st, 2002, the Post Authority of Slovenia issued the next stamp in their multi-year set "Fossil of Slovenia". The stamp shows a Hairfly fossil.

The following text was written by Jernej Pavsi, it was published on the website of Slovenia in 2002.

Hairfly (Bibio): Insect remains are preserved only under exceptional circumstances in an environment with no air present because their exoskeleton (a hard outer casing) usually decomposes immediately after death. That is why every new discovery of a fossil insect in Slovenia is a special experience.
The fossil insect depicted on the stamp was discovered together with other fossils in grey marl slabs in the Zasavje region and it belongs to the Diptera. The body is relatively well preserved. One can see the thorax and head, the shape of which is not very clearly recognisable. Also preserved is the front right leg. Veins in the wings are clear, even though the wings are a little damaged.
Hairfly (Bibio) is an aquatic Diptera. It ended up in the mud with little oxygen, which prevented effective bacterial decay and promoted fossil preservation. Aquatic insects served as the most important additional food for fish and are therefore their fossil remains are frequently found in these layers. The fossil depicting on the stamp forms a part of the Private Paleontological collection Matija Kriznar in Skofja Loka.

Products and associated philatelic items

FDC	First-Day-of-Issue Postmark	Mini-Sheet

References

• Technical details and short description: Posta Slovenije, colnect.

Acknowledgements:

Many thanks to Dr. Peter Voice from Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, for reviewing the draft page.

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