Insects make up an estimated 80-90% of all the different species of animals on Earth with an estimated 2-30 million different types of species. The vast majority of these insects have yet to be identified as there are just so many different kinds. Scientists estimate there could be around 10 quintillion (thats a 1 with 19 0’s behind it) living insects right now. With so many different types of insects, its no surprise that collectors have been acquiring different types of insects for years. Just do a quick Ebay search for “collectible insects” and you will see for yourself; there are literally all different kinds. But not all insects are created equally, some are more valuable and prized than others. With such a vast diversity of different insect species, collectors and biologists alike sometimes spend years hunting down a specific type of insect.
Among all insects that are collected, beetles are typically the most sought after by collectors around the world. The “most expensive” insect in the world was sold in Japan to a insect shop located in Tokyo. The insect was a beetle belonging to the Lucanidae family, of which there are 1,200 different types of beetles in that particular family. Given the vast diversity of insect species, some of these are obviously more difficult to locate. The beetle that was sold was a type of stag beetle which are known for their extremely large mandibles which males use to fight each other. For one reason or another these beetles are highly sought after. The beetle sold was of a rarer kind and was much larger than other stag beetles. A “large” stag beetle is typical 2 inches in length, but the one sold for $89,000 dollars was 3 inches in length. That insane price tag for the beetle makes it the most expensive insect ever.
Photo by Claire Hogg
