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Post by bartekgoldyn on Apr 21, 2015 2:38:38 GMT -8
There are no blue forms of green ornithoptera. Due the fact that the butterflies live long (30 days +) this is normal ageing process. The green pigment is destroyed by sunlight (UV) and the blue remains. That's it. Saw it in nature. It is described in The Haugum & Low Monograph. In 2001 (if I remember correctly) one guy described it as a form and the saga continues. Some authors continue to describe such things.
PS. You won't be able to reverse the process. Victoriae is prone to look like that when moisture is present. But for example priamus dries back to blue.
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Post by bartekgoldyn on Apr 21, 2015 2:45:26 GMT -8
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Post by exoticimports on Apr 21, 2015 12:30:05 GMT -8
There are no blue forms of green ornithoptera. Due the fact that the butterflies live long (30 days +) this is normal ageing process. The green pigment is destroyed by sunlight (UV) and the blue remains. That's it. Saw it in nature. It is described in The Haugum & Low Monograph. In 2001 (if I remember correctly) one guy described it as a form and the saga continues. Some authors continue to describe such things. PS. You won't be able to reverse the process. Victoriae is prone to look like that when moisture is present. But for example priamus dries back to blue. Having seen, captured, handled, and sold a number of OV rubianensis, including the blue form nicklasi I can say this for wild specimens: Turning blue is not a natural event, keyword being TURNING. I have had many old, tired specimens that were green (in fact, 99.5% are when they die) while at the same time I have had the blue specimens in fresh condition. Admittedly, I did not capture the blue form myself, but did get them from the collector in Rendova while in Western Province. The blue form did not cost more, so there was no financial motivation for the collector to modify them. AFAIK they were ranched along with all the others. So exposure of a live OV rubianensis to UV does not turn it blue. Are they blue when they emerge? I can't say for certain, except that the specimens I had were ranched and fresh, so it is most likely. I would be interested in your observations of what you saw in nature, because as I read it, it is opposite what I've observed. What do H&L say? BTW, the blue form is BLUE not purple. Chuck |
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Post by exoticimports on Apr 21, 2015 16:41:39 GMT -8
OMG over $2,000 for one specimen! I sold mine for under $200 each. Ouch. You can get to Rannonga from just about anywhere for $2k. Go get your own. But be careful, the Solomon Islanders kept me up till 1am drinking beer last night.
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Post by ornithorchid on Apr 21, 2015 17:31:22 GMT -8
Exoticimports please if you have O. victoriae for sale feel free to contact me. I am looking for O. victoriae reginae and rubianus. Appreciate.
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Post by lovebeetles on Apr 22, 2015 12:15:22 GMT -8
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wzinke
Junior Member
Posts: 29
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Post by wzinke on Apr 22, 2015 19:08:33 GMT -8
OMG over $2,000 for one specimen! I sold mine for under $200 each. Ouch. You can get to Rannonga from just about anywhere for $2k. Go get your own. But be careful, the Solomon Islanders kept me up till 1am drinking beer last night. Yes, I am very sick over this...(thanks Chuck  ) I am re-spreading and it does show that it was faded with UV...will have photos soon. Ebay is still rejecting |
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Post by ornithorchid on Apr 22, 2015 19:13:54 GMT -8
I double checked the original ad and its says "return accepted". Did you argue with eBay about that?
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Post by lovebeetles on Apr 22, 2015 21:39:38 GMT -8
Did you use a credit card as payment method via your paypal account?
You can get the credit card company to retrieve the money back as generally all purchases are insured.
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wzinke
Junior Member
Posts: 29
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Post by wzinke on Apr 23, 2015 17:02:01 GMT -8
I double checked the original ad and its says "return accepted". Did you argue with eBay about that? No good, seller refused to return and ebay still maintains that I have altered the butterfly! Thanks for the heads up Ornithorchid on the underwing, and after relaxing you can clearly see the original green! What a SCAM! This guy is a real crook : 99Dmitiry99 BE WARNED! This Russian Dmitiry talks a very nice game but he knew it was a fake! This is a new twist on scamming, please beware....it will be a LONG time before I am able to pay this mistake off...no, no credit card as I thought Paypal and ebay were reputable and safe, as they are always advertising 'money back guarantee'... Here's what they said: Hello Will, Regrettably there is nothing more that we can do. If you would like to take actions off site that is something that you can do. There is a website IC3.gov. It is a website that is ran but the government where you can open cases for Internet crime. They might be able to help you. Ebay refuses to talk to me and the scammer is still free to sell more butterflies on ebay. I have had 100% feedback and a member buyer/seller on ebay for over 10 years, spent thousands, vip designation, and ebay refuses to hear this...it makes me sick. Beware of 99Dmitiry99 from Russia!   |
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Post by ornithorchid on Apr 23, 2015 17:24:33 GMT -8
Sad end to this story... Unfortunately, Ebay/Paypal is LaLaLand and even sending this picture to them they would not understand.
Some seller would really go for it, selling everything and anything, including CITES I (O. alexandrae several of us discussed on this forum over this past month).
Cheer up Will.
Emmanuel
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Post by lovebeetles on Apr 25, 2015 0:37:53 GMT -8
I double checked the original ad and its says "return accepted". Did you argue with eBay about that? No good, seller refused to return and ebay still maintains that I have altered the butterfly! Thanks for the heads up on the underwing, and after relaxing you can clearly see the original green! What a SCAM! This guy is a real crook : 88Dmitiry88 BE WARNED! This Russian Dmitiry talks a very nice game but he knew it was a fake! This is a new twist on scamming, please beware....it will be a LONG time before I am able to pay this mistake off...no, no credit card as I thought Paypal and ebay were reputable and safe, as they are always advertising 'money back guarantee'... Here's what they said: Hello Will, Regrettably there is nothing more that we can do. If you would like to take actions off site that is something that you can do. There is a website IC3.gov. It is a website that is ran but the government where you can open cases for Internet crime. They might be able to help you. View AttachmentView AttachmentYou used Paypal for payment but the funds used to pay where is it from? Paypal balance, direct from bank account, credit card or debit card? If credit card was used to fund paypal payment you can as credit card company to surcharge the money back as purchases are insured on credit card. My paypal account is linked with my credit card so if paypal or ebay don't retrieve my money they will  |
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Post by ornithorchid on Apr 25, 2015 3:52:44 GMT -8
I agree with LobeBeetles
I actually don't bother anymore filling claims on PayPal I go directly with credit card. Hope you did not use debit card. Let us know.
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Post by paradesia on Apr 25, 2015 11:20:05 GMT -8
Will
Make sure you give him a bad rating on EBay to bump down his percentage. He is selling a very questionable O. priamus "miokensis" right now. Sorry for your loss. I certainly have had my share of butterflies of questionable quality, damage, etc. I appreciate that you set aside your embarrassment and posted this for others to be forewarned. I,too, have a "niclasi" like Manfred's that is incredibly blue and Morpho-like but, alas, is a UV creation. I bought it well over 10 years ago at a price of $160 when O. victoriae rubianus pairs were selling at $150 retail........we learn from our mistakes. Hope this does not dampen your passion for butterflies. It simply reveals the true character of "Dmitiry" and that is his loss. I certainly have some names of sellers that would fall under this same category and I would be more than happy to PM them to you. As for monetary loss, I try to take a philosophical approach and chalk it up to Life's disappointments,move on, and not get too attached to man's morbid preoccupation with money. Again, thanks for posting and all my best to you.
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Post by ornithorchid on Apr 30, 2015 7:05:41 GMT -8
I double checked the original ad and its says "return accepted". Did you argue with eBay about that? No good, seller refused to return and ebay still maintains that I have altered the butterfly! Thanks for the heads up on the underwing, and after relaxing you can clearly see the original green! What a SCAM! This guy is a real crook : 88Dmitiry88 BE WARNED! This Russian Dmitiry talks a very nice game but he knew it was a fake! This is a new twist on scamming, please beware....it will be a LONG time before I am able to pay this mistake off...no, no credit card as I thought Paypal and ebay were reputable and safe, as they are always advertising 'money back guarantee'... Here's what they said: Hello Will, Regrettably there is nothing more that we can do. If you would like to take actions off site that is something that you can do. There is a website IC3.gov. It is a website that is ran but the government where you can open cases for Internet crime. They might be able to help you. Wzinke, the famous 99dmitriy99 (103) from ebay is bidding on Ornithoptera allotei. I would not be surprised if a 'niclasi' form of this hybrid emerge onto ebay by the end of 2015. The current O. allotei has few stains and a clear repair on the R-Forewing (major cut on vein within discal cell). |
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