[leps-talk] value

[Anne Kilmer]

Neil Jones wrote:

> On Friday 31 May 2002 06:08 pm, Anne Kilmer wrote:
> 
>>Chris J. Durden wrote:
>>
>>One of the horror stories I have read tells of a collector taking all
>>mature butterflies, all larvae, and removing all the host plants in
>>order to make his little prizes far more valuable. (Obviously this was a
>>species close to the edge, anyway.)
>>That was a while ago, perhaps in Wales (Neil will undoubtedly be able to
>>fill in chapter and verse) and there was a stark simplicity about the
>>action.
>>It is this sort of blithe ruthlessness that we fear, and we have to
>>hope that the world of collectors is self-policing. What I have seen of
>>it indicates that it is, indeed.
>>
>>Setting the wolf to guard the hen house is exactly how we got guard dogs
>>in the first place, and I can think of no better system. As all of you
>>have agreed, the butterflies are worth far more in the field than they
>>are in little boxes, and that's your focus.
>>Anne Kilmer
>>Mayo, Ireland
>>
> 
> It wasn't in Wales but I can give you the original posting that was made on 
> the subject back in 1995. Here is the relevant extract. It was followed by 
> several condemnatory statements, as you would expect.   As far as I can find 
> there are only 9 colonies left in Flanders. It is a very interesting species 
> in that the larvae are adopted by ants who feed them mistaking them for queen 
> ant larvae. A butterfly equivalent of the Cuckoo.
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> 
> I know about a place in Belgium where the vulnerable Maculinea alcon was
> found. A 'commercial collector' came by and caught as many he could. After
> this he digged out ALL the Gentiana pneumonanthe (food-plant of M. alcon) he
> could find.  He argued: this makes me be sure that I collected the LAST one
> in this reserve (wich makes its commercial value higher...)
> That's what I DO NOT AGREE WITH.
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> Bart Vanholder
> Belgian Migrating Lepidoptera Survey
> Droeskouter 33
> B-9450 Haaltert
> Belgium
> e-mail: bvholder at innet.be
> 
> 
> --
> Neil Jones- Neil at nwjones.demon.co.uk http://www.butterflyguy.com/
> NOTE NEW WEB ADDRESS
> "At some point I had to stand up and be counted. Who speaks for the
> butterflies?" Andrew Lees - The quotation on his memorial at Crymlyn Bog
> National Nature Reserve
> 
> 

Well, we still have no name, no exact place, and so it's a rural myth, 
isn't it? Unless Bart can authenticate it. Thanks, Neil.
I've been reading about those cuckoo butterflies; fascinating stuff. 
They overspecialized and tend to kill the ant colony they inhabit. Not a 
successful gambit, and a lesson in that for all of us. Eleven months (or 
23) is just too long to pass yourself off as a graduate student while 
eating all your classmates. Someone in authority is bound to notice, 
unless you publish.
It will be their fate to be maintained as a curiosity by their fans, and 
uphill work it is, too.
In any case, my point was that collectors of today wouldn't do that, 
just as we do not now collect bird's eggs as a hobby. The mood of the 
times is different.
White hats and white horses have been issued to collectors and breeders, 
and, sadly, the developers are still the villains. That's where we need 
to aim our educational efforts and prayers.
Right, Charles?
Cheers
Anne


 
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