Castnia species question.

[obiwankenobi55555]

Hello,

I have preparing this question long time and this is the moment I need decent answer. Why Castnia species butterflies (moths) are always on high value on the market. This species group is total "enigma" for me because I'm not collecting them and I don't have any in my collection but when I saw market, there is no any species under 100$ for single male, but why? Can someone explain to me.

Thank you very much.

[wollastoni]

It is all about Offer and Demand, like always in life.

Offer : indeed very few suppliers provide Castnia species. See here.
Castnia must be hard to catch and they come mainly from South America where many areas are fewly prospected or difficult countries for entomology (Brazil, Mexico...)

Demand :
Castnia are splendid moths, very unique.

I doubt demand will decrease with time, so until South American catchers find a technique to collect more Castniidae, prices will remain high.