Sourcing Rare Insect Taxidermy/ Rare live Insects

Insect taxidermy collector, specifically for Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). Spent the last few days learning and exploring the deepweb and have just started looking into the Darknet. Currently I am struggling to find a reliable source of dead/alive butterflies. I collect only exotic and rare ones. Would greatly appreciate any help finding a source whether it's just a name of a site/vendor andor if a direct link could be posted itself.


Comments


[48 Points] JacWilliston23:

These requests just keep getting weirder every week...


[37 Points] krokodiltear:

Be careful, OP. There's a lot of Heterocera fakes being passed off as legit Rhopalocera specimens on the darknet. Just last week, SWIM ordered a Heliconius hecalesia, which was clearly just a doctored Zygaena filipendulae; lost a few hundred dollars over it. And it was an A- at best on the Remington Lepidoptera Grading Scale, not the A1 as advertised. SWIM has sworn off buying anything but Trichoptera after that experience.


[14 Points] WheresTheCaveman:

Yo I got some bugs I gotchu, FE only


[13 Points] fuhq2:

Browse this subreddit long enough and any/every possible topic will come up. Even enty...entolo...enta... bug collecting.


[8 Points] wookiesuit:

Alright buffalo bill.


[6 Points] marryisgone:

5/5 FE'd, will be back with bug zapper.


[5 Points] dawgiee:

Yo i got this fire...flies.


[5 Points] cactuzxx:

Ask on the nucleus forums if anyone can source.


[7 Points] diOpAnonMu:

I'm guessing the intersection of those who are motivated to learn about hidden services and bitcoin and those that collect exotic moths and butterflies is small.

I recommend finding stores that deal in taxidermy and natural history and cold calling and making connections. You can also ask around at museums, and at biology departments at universities.


[3 Points] rogueXleader:

Man, I don't know about finding them listed on the markets, but we do have sub regulars from all around the world. Maybe reaching out to someone in the native range of the particular species you're looking for. Who knows? They might have one dead on their porch and have no idea that anyone would ever pay for deceased insect. Money talks though. I can tell you from dealing with archeological relics, the cheaper you can get them, the shadier the people are you're getting them from and they probably did something not entirely ethical to get them. Wish you luck though and welcome to the community


[2 Points] LoudRooster:

You want a mummy add-on with that order? Embalming liquid included


[2 Points] None:

[deleted]


[1 Points] DrinkMoreCodeMore:

Pic of your current collection =


[1 Points] reedsparks:

Call Chuck Testa


[1 Points] bugattibiebs:

Don't know about moths/butterflies but I know someone who breeds beetles if interested


[1 Points] yea_tht_dnt_go_there:

So you want me to send you butterflies? Any kind?


[1 Points] tuigger:

This whole thread is adorable. Here you have a bunch of people discussing vendors and markets of illegal drugs, counterfeit money, fake IDs and even occasionally guns, and then we have you; a guy trying to buy dead butterflies. I am laughing so damn hard right now!

In answer to your question, however, your chances of finding rare Lepidopterans are extremely slim, even on the Darknet. I, personally, would point you towards the Hidden Wikis and wish you luck on your quest for dead bugs.


[-2 Points] Maca_Najeznica:

I highly recomend you let them bugs live, stop plundering the ecosystems, and stop being freak.