The World’s Most Expensive Insects
Published by It is quite unusual but some insect species are sold at very high prices. Of course, one would wonder why these insects are very expensive.
Why are they very expensive? Are they delicious? Or, will they give you superpower or magic?
Hobbyist, gamblers and collectors are willing to pay thousands of dollars for a single species of an insect. So if you are searching for the most expensive insects in the world, here are some of them
The most expensive butterfly is a Five-winged Morpho. It was sold at US$195,000.00. Another butterfly, a Yellow-crested Spangle or Papilio elephenor was purchased at US$145,000.00 in Japan.
Stag Beetle – US$89,000.00
Believe it or not but one of the the most expensive insects in the world is a beetle – the Stag Beetle. It has had a jaw-dropping price of US$89,000. The beetle is 3 inches in length and was sold by a Japanese breeder to an insect shop.
Why is it very expensive? Is it delicious? Or, will it gives you magic? Male stag beetles are amongst the most sought insects in the world. Male Stag Beetles fight each other to win the right to mate with the female. Humans have learned that it is their natural tendency to fight each other. They also fight over food like fruits and tree sap.
Because of these reasons, human have seen the potential of exploiting these creatures. Like spider fighting and cockfighting, Stag Beetle fighting is popular in some parts of the globe like Japan hence, their prices are so high.
Paradise Birdwing (Ornothoptera paradise) – US$23,4000.00
One of the most expensive butterfly species in the world is the Paradise Birdwing. It is regarded as the “most desirable birdwing in the world. The most expensive Paradise Birdwing was sold at a whooping price of US$23,400.00. The male species is highly valued by collectors. The brightly-colored male species can attain a wingspan of 135 mm while the female can attain a wingspan of 150 mm. A good quality male specimen can be sold at US$300 or more.
Common Green Birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus) – US$16,500.00
A Common Green Birdwing was sold at US$16,500. This expensive butterfly species can be found in Bismarck Archipelago, Mollucas, New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Northeast Australia,
Cairns Birdwing (Ornithoptera euphorion)
The Cairns Birdwing of Australia is also an expensive species of butterfly. It is the largest native butterfly species of Australia. It can attain a wingspan of up to 16 cm.
Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae) – US$12,4000.00
Another expensive butterfly which is also a birdwing species is the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing. This butterfly is the world’s largest and can cost as much as US$12,400. This butterfly can only be found in Oro Province of Papua New Guinea.
Titan Beetle (Titanus giganteus) – US$500.00
Another expensive insect is also a beetle species – the Titan Beetle of South America. This creature is the longest known beetle in the Amazon rainforest and one of the world’s longest insect species reaching a length of 16.7 cm.
These insects, which are sold at US$500 or over, are commonly collected by the use of mercury-vapor lamps because males are attracted to it. Titan Beetle’s are quite dangerous creatures because their mandibles can snap pencils in half and can cut into human flesh.
Long-horned Beetle (Macrodontia cervicornis) – US$300.00
Another expensive insect is also a beetle – the Macrodontia cervicornis of South America. This animal is the largest and best-known Long-horned Beetle species. Attaining a length of up to 17 cm, it is also regarded as the second longest among all beetles. This beetle species is very attractive to insect collectors and can be priced at US$300 or over. They can be found in the rainforests of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guianas and Peru.
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Liked it
On March 2, 2011 at 12:01 pm
It’s just weird to spend that much for just an insect…
NIce share sir norbert…:-]
On March 2, 2011 at 12:14 pm
poor little bugs, killed for no other reason than their looks.
On March 2, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Well written
On March 2, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Unbelievable that people would pay so much for a bug. AWESOME article, very fun read.
On March 2, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Wow!!!
On March 2, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Your articles are always interesting. I’ve spent the past two weeks in hospital and am trying to catch up.
On March 3, 2011 at 3:21 am
great work well informed
On March 4, 2011 at 8:32 am
Bro, magtitiyaga na alang ako doon sa mga cricket sa Pampanga, mura pa at very delicious.
On March 18, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Wow, Very expensive. Interesting post.
On October 20, 2011 at 2:21 pm
does anyone know of a site that talks about people who trade butterflies from different places? im interested to trade.
msg me vincentrubi@yahoo.com
On March 29, 2012 at 1:32 pm
STFU Brenda….i fight bugs daily..
#seejungverlarve