In order to urge the local residents to pay attention to wildlife protection, this Directorate will issue a set of four stamps featuring four rare and near-extinct insects native to Taiwan. They are Dorcus formosanus Miwa, also known as the Formosan Giant Stag Beetle, Phyllophorina Kotoshoensis Shiraki, also known as the Lan-Shu Giant Katydid, Troides magellanus C. & R. Felder, also known as the Birdwing Butterfly, and Megacrania tsudai Shiraki, also known as the Big- headed Stick insect. These stamps are denominated NT$5.00, 7.00, 10.00, and 17.00 and will be released on April 25, 1997. Yang ping-shih were invited to make plan for the stamp design.    Located in a subtropical area, together with the complex topography, high climate, and abundant rainfall, Taiwan nourishes rich ecological resources on which a variety of animals and plants can feed and has long enjoyed the reputation as an "Insect treasure". However, these resources have been severely damaged in recent years partly as a result of the overuse of lands situated at low and middle altitudes and partly from the pressures resulting from excessive hunting for some of the island's insects. It is hoped that, with the release of this set of stamps, the populace on this island may understand more about the island's rare insects and thus carry out the consensus on ecological conservation.