Collectors friendly countries (Papilionidae) - help

[martinxox]

Hi, I have a question, I'm very interested and want to start collecting Papilionidae, I wonder what would been best starting point. I can travel next summer for a collecting trip, meanwhile need to save, located in EU wonder, which country might be good to try for Papilionidae collecting. I will buy few specimens at fair, but have no clue if to collect one specie or several ....simply how to start. You can advice me please, as I'm not rich person and want to stay on lower side of budget, but still to collect something nice and rewarding. Thank You all very much for collecting tips, I will need it, as a first step bought A. Cotton book Papilionidae of the world and the book is amazing, great work. Thanks, nice day to everyone

[Adam Cotton]

Thank you for the compliment on the book, but I should point out that I was not the author of this work. The front cover is rather confusing for anyone (like me) who does not read Japanese. My name is there because I was an editor of the book (responsible for editing the English and advising on most of the taxonomy - except Parnassius) with my late friend Yasusuke Nishiyama, but the sole author is Makoto Nakae.

If you want to travel to collect Papilionidae inside the EU you should be aware that most countries have restrictions on collecting.

Adam.

[martinxox]

Oct 6, 2022 10:33:42 GMT Adam Cotton said:

Thank you for the compliment on the book, but I should point out that I was not the author of this work. The front cover is rather confusing for anyone (like me) who does not read Japanese. My name is there because I was an editor of the book (responsible for editing the English and advising on most of the taxonomy - except Parnassius) with my late friend Yasusuke Nishiyama, but the sole author is Makoto Nakae.

If you want to travel to collect Papilionidae inside the EU you should be aware that most countries have restrictions on collecting.

Adam.

Good evening Adam, I had no idea, thought that You are the author, so thanks for correction. I didn't ment to collect in EU, I'm located in Czechia, I thought that members might help with tips on which countries are collectors friendly and I won't spent a fortune like to make a Papua for example, that would been my dream, but impossible now. Thanks to all members for help in advance.

[teinopalpus]

Yeah Adam, but in Czech entomologic books shop you are author www.entosphinx.cz/cs/lepidoptera/1642-cotton-a-2021-papilionidae-of-the-world.html

Martin, Europe is for Papilionidae poor area ( about 10 species depending on accepted taxonomy, some of them are protected on EU level, some of them on national level, some occuring only inside protected areas ).
Nice collection representing whole Papilionidae family can be bought on fairs for really cheap ( when you will choose showy but common species ). Surely cheaper than any 2 weeks trip, even inside EU.
On other side if you want really great experience, you can always travel to some tropical paradise. But then do not expect huge addition to your collection. You need know right time, right place, right technique of catch - ( can be rather different from catching in Europe ) and of course permits if needed.

Jan

[martinxox]

Oct 7, 2022 12:08:45 GMT teinopalpus said:

Yeah Adam, but in Czech entomologic books shop you are author www.entosphinx.cz/cs/lepidoptera/1642-cotton-a-2021-papilionidae-of-the-world.html

Martin, Europe is for Papilionidae poor area ( about 10 species depending on accepted taxonomy, some of them are protected on EU level, some of them on national level, some occuring only inside protected areas ).
Nice collection
representing whole Papilionidae family can be bought on fairs for really cheap ( when you will choose showy but common species ). Surely cheaper than any 2 weeks trip, even inside EU.
On other side if you want really great experience, you can always travel to some tropical paradise. But then do not expect huge addition to your collection. You need know right time, right place, right technique of catch - ( can be rather different from catching in Europe ) and of course permits if needed.

Jan

Hi and thank you, I'm aware that there isn't much species within Europe. Which destinations you find as a good field trip, that won't ruin my bank. I was considering to try French Guyana, have heard, that it's collectors friendly. But previously because of my job I did trips to West Africa, at that young age I wasn't into the hobby, so do not own specimens from my trips, but still it's attractive area for me even culture wise. I also think Southeast Asia might be good, but have little to no knowledge about countries and actual permits needed. Excuse my English, I can PM in Czech. Have a good day

[Adam Cotton]

French Guiana is 'collector friendly' but it is not a very good place to collect Papilionidae. For some reason they are rather scarce in that country and butterflies don't mud-puddle in large numbers like in many countries.

Here in Thailand although permits are not needed legal collecting is very difficult now, because almost all good places are inside protected areas. That just basically leaves a very few places where you can legally collect any butterflies other than the about 20 protected species. I think that Laos would be a better option, and there are some people who offer guiding services for collectors too. Steeve Collard in Luang Prabang offers this service (or he did before the covid lockdowns) and there is a Lao friend of mine in Vientiane who also used to act as a guide, mainly for Japanese collectors (not cheap though, as transport etc is all included).

The comment by teinopalpus that buying specimens of Papilionidae in fairs (or online from EU dealers) would be much cheaper than going on a trip and hoping to be there at a good season is definitely a valid point.

Adam.