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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 20, 2021 11:52:28 GMT -8
Ornithoptera chimaera is one of those rather exclusive species
of birdwings to own. It has always been on that "next level" of
relative rarity and price -- above most Priamus and Trogonoptera.
It has also easily outpaced most or all O. tithonus which look
somewhat similar.
It is a high elevation species compared to all the others (to the
best of my knowledge); and perhaps its domain is much more inaccessible
to reach as well. Specimens seem few (if it all) in private hands which
causes me to remark on its generally exclusive ownership.
Its certainly one I've never had the chance to get and yet it is one of
the highlights of the genus. I think only alexandrea, victoria, and paradisea
rival it in splendor.
So, does anyone out there have some righteous examples
for us to see ?
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Jan 21, 2021 6:28:40 GMT -8
I went and Googled Ornithoptera chimaera chimaera just to see what this beauty looked like. The first result was specimen on EBay with a bid of $29K. For a butterfly??
WOW!!!!
For 29 grand I could buy a new car, go collecting around the world. I could get into Carol Bulan's panties (Carol Bulan was not her real name!)at least once. But 29 grand for a butterfly??
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Post by Paul K on Jan 21, 2021 7:00:24 GMT -8
The price is $29,850.00
$29,000 is for that little bit of yellow splash inside the forewing cell, the $850.00 is for the rest of the specimen including pin.
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 21, 2021 8:10:32 GMT -8
Ha, Ha, Ha.... you guys are just crack'in me up. Excellent commentary from both...   Indeed, that seller is out of his mind ! |
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Post by yorky on Jan 21, 2021 8:12:15 GMT -8
Here's a couple. Bottom specimen is an underside aberration but I don't have pictures at present, the pair cost the princely sum of £34. Attachments:
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Post by livingplanet3 on Jan 21, 2021 8:26:44 GMT -8
Around $30,000 for one butterfly, versus $30,000 for all the other butterflies combined!
Among the Ornithoptera, my own favorites are actually some of the most commonly available species, such as croesus, priamus, and goliath.
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 21, 2021 9:54:24 GMT -8
Yorky, that large example is very stunning for its size
and golden yellow color !
I am admittedly envious... Bravo
I don't know how far back you may have acquired them or from what source
(perhaps a good friend) but, in these modern times a specimen like that
lower one will easily fetch a (minimum) in the mid-$500.00 range and
PROBABLY would rocket upwards of $650 or better with bidding.
At least, that's what it would fetch (or should) over here...
As you know "condition", color, and size either add (or delete) from any
truly desirable specimen. However, in this case that large example you have
has all the BEST qualities which males in this species offer.
A simply stunning large male specimen. You are quite fortunate to have landed it !
As always, thanks for sharing with us !
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 21, 2021 10:17:32 GMT -8
You know, if I had the means and connections (insect fairs) to really
dabble in birdwings I'd probably have a collection of mostly all males.
Females just don't do much for me in these. Exceptions of coarse are those
large and quite variable victoria and goliath females. And of coarse, alexandrea
is a given but, short of these most are just large brown butterflies with
white patches....
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Post by livingplanet3 on Jan 21, 2021 11:39:41 GMT -8
You know, if I had the means and connections (insect fairs) to really dabble in birdwings I'd probably have a collection of mostly all males. Females just don't do much for me in these. Exceptions of coarse are those large and quite variable victoria and goliath females. And of coarse, alexandrea is a given but, short of these most are just large brown butterflies with white patches.... The female of O. p. urvillianus, for example? -  |
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Post by yorky on Jan 21, 2021 11:41:58 GMT -8
As I said the underside of the bottom male is an aberration and looks quite different to normal forms. I don't really follow the prices for ornithoptera now but I would imagine that it would fetch a sizeable sum if I sold it. As a child chimaera, goliath,paradiseae, tithonus, alexandrae etc were the stuff of dreams and if I only had the Internet as a source then they would have remained the stuff of dreams but I've been very fortunate over the years, I think with todays inflated prices I would think again about starting to collect now, I would need to be a millionaire.
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 21, 2021 12:59:38 GMT -8
I have to give do credit to a couple of the Priamus females for their uniqueness...
I have always liked both urvilleanus and aesacus females amongst the lot.
Aesacus offers a lot of white variation so it's a very unique female from one small locality.
On the other hand urvilleanus are always large specimens as females go and their dark brown background on brownish patches (not whitish) rather makes them a standout in their own right as well.
I still do not own either one however should the opportunity ever arise I will be sure to get females of these !
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 21, 2021 13:10:04 GMT -8
Yorky, many exotic things are indeed the stuff of dreams however one can still collect locally in one's country and still be a happy collector.
Heck, leptraps has spent a lifetime just focusing on North American material and little else; and he seems like a pretty happy fellow to me. 😊
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Post by yorky on Jan 21, 2021 13:16:47 GMT -8
I'm happy to collect just in my local area, I usually find something new or exciting when I'm out and about.
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Post by gaspipe on Jan 21, 2021 16:46:55 GMT -8
Yorky, many exotic things are indeed the stuff of dreams however one can still collect locally in one's country and still be a happy collector. Heck, leptraps has spent a lifetime just focusing on North American material and little else; and he seems like a pretty happy fellow to me. 😊 Leptraps is indeed happy ; but at the moment I don’t believe it’s because of any butterfly or moth! |
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Jan 22, 2021 13:01:45 GMT -8
I am a happy fellow. I have a beautiful collection of North American Lepidoptera, a rather nice home in Aurora, Ohio. And a charming and delightful young lady to spend time with.
Yesserie Buffalo Bob, I am a happy man!!!
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