From Beauty to Extinction: The Dilemma of Butterfly Collecting

The Tefuya pub in Tokyo has become a popular destination for butterfly enthusiasts and collectors. Owner Kiyomi Kakizawa has created a unique atmosphere by displaying and selling approximately 5,000 dead butterfly specimens. Patrons can admire the colorful butterflies from around the world, study maps, and even participate in convivial auctions to add to their own collections.

Butterfly collecting has a long history, particularly in Europe, where it was a popular hobby in the 1800s. Nowadays, many collectors and buyers come from the United States, Europe, and Japan. In Japan alone, there are an estimated 10,000 butterfly enthusiasts. Serious collectors often dedicate entire cabinets in their homes to store their extensive collections, which can include hundreds or even thousands of specimens.

For many collectors, the passion for butterflies began in childhood. In the past, insect collecting was a common summer vacation homework assignment, requiring students to collect insects and study them at school. However, studies have shown that insect species are facing extinction, with many populations declining. Threats to butterfly survival include habitat loss, pesticide use in intensive agriculture, climate change, and poaching.

Poaching is a significant concern, with hunters capturing butterflies to meet the demand from local and international collectors. In Bantimurung, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, hunters as young as school-going age are involved in catching butterflies. Although catching protected butterfly species is illegal in Indonesia, including in conservation areas like national parks, the trade of protected species continues, both domestically and internationally.

The Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park in Indonesia, designated as a conservation area, is known as a commercial center where butterflies are hunted and sold as souvenirs or to collectors abroad. Despite regulations, the illegal trade in protected species persists, and it is common to find protected butterflies being traded online without proper documentation.

Butterfly collectors like Joyo, a hunter in Indonesia, argue that even if they don't catch butterflies, the insects will still have a short lifespan of around one month. However, the trade in rare butterflies can be highly lucrative, with prices determined by rarity rather than size or type. Collectors, particularly those from overseas, are willing to pay high prices for rare specimens.

In Japan, 80-year-old doctor Haruki has dedicated his life to butterfly collecting, amassing around 10,000 specimens. He acquires specimens from various sources, paying significant amounts for the most valuable ones. His motivation stems from the desire to have a complete collection of different butterfly species, including sexually dimorphic ones, where males and females differ in appearance.

Authorities worldwide face significant challenges in curbing the illegal trade of protected butterfly species. The volume of travelers and luggage, the necessary expertise of enforcement officers, and the falsification of permits all contribute to the difficulties. Despite these challenges, some scientists argue for the sustainable use of butterflies rather than a complete ban. They suggest that collecting or ranching butterflies in the wild can be sustainable if natural habitats are preserved.

Efforts are being made to educate visitors and collectors about the importance of butterfly conservation. Management plans and careful communication can help raise awareness about the species that need protection and discourage the purchase and capture of certain butterflies. Additionally, butterfly experts like Djunijanti Peggie in Indonesia advocate for ranching as a solution, which involves breeding butterflies in semi-natural environments to reduce the pressure on wild populations.

Overall, the butterfly trade continues to thrive, driven by collectors' passion and the demand for rare and unique specimens. Balancing conservation efforts and the interests of collectors remains a challenge, and sustainable practices are crucial to ensure the long-term survival of butterfly species.