The curious allure of Goliath beetles -- why?

[trehopr1]

I am ever curious as to why Goliath beetles seem to elicit so much endless attention on the insect auctions. Their prices seem to vary wildly. Of coarse, the largest ones fetch the biggest prices however, sometimes the lesser sized ones also command some fancy price tags. I've never really noticed such obsession attached to the Megasoma or Chalcosoma genera. 
So what gives? Is it variation in the markings which collectors are after? Are collectors gathering a series of each species to cover perhaps a broad range of size and markings? I just can't quite grasp the apparent cult following of a genus of beetles which by all accounts only number 6 species or so.

[nomad]

Not being a beetle collector, I am not sure, we need an answer from a Coleopterist. Although they seem popular, we do not see many on forums, in fact surprisingly we do not see many posts about beetles at all. Perhaps, it is because they are Africa's biggest beetle and to many, it seems the bigger the beetle the better. As a price guide, size matters. A bit like birdwing butterfles. The Goliath's even have their own website www.naturalworlds.org/goliathus/ If you take their bulk-weight they are among the largest insects we have.

[wollastoni]

Yes Goliathus species have a high value on the market.

Size and beauty aren't the only reasons for the love of entomologists for this genus.

Another factor, which also explain the high prices of some other insects like Agrias for example, is variation.

Many Goliathus species have various forms and it makes collecting them very interesting.

See for example the different "varieties" of Goliathus goliatus on this page : www.naturalworlds.org/goliathus/species/Goliathus_goliatus.htm   ,from full black to nearly full white with many intermediary forms.

You would find many variations also in G. orientalis and some other species.

The specimens with big size and rare form are highly searched by collectors, hence the high prices.

[Paul K]

Beautiful beetles. One day I hope I can have at least one drawer for reference and their look .

Paul

[trehopr1]

Thank you Nomad and Wollastoni for your input to my question. Nomad, that website you found on Goliathus is awesome ! Wollastoni nailed it with the combination of size, beauty, and variation (within each species) being the key to their cult status. I suppose I alluded somewhat to these same reasons in my post. But, it's still good to hear others input and knowledge as positive reinforcement.
Goliathus are an attractive group in their own right and after seeing the website about them; their many varied named forms make much more sense.

[leon]

It's an emotional thing. The size excites many and also their uniqueness.
On Ebay, prices range from $39 to $300 but if ordered from a local supplier (US) the postage is only $3.50.

[mothman27]

Here is my first Goliathus.
G. goliathus - 96mm

[africaone]

Jun 19, 2016 14:40:14 GMT leon said:

It's an emotional thing. The size excites many and also their uniqueness.
On Ebay, prices range from $39 to $300 but if ordered from a local supplier (US) the postage is only $3.50.

3.5 ? really ?  you have to take the all lot and surprises that comes with  and don't forget to do the mean with the rest of problem !

[betta132]

It's a gigantic beetle with attractive patterns. Either of those things would attract buyers, both make it a very interesting species. Even non-hobbyists find them intriguing.
Plus, people tend to find abnormally large or abnormally small things interesting.