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The collection of insect specimen from forests is strictly prohibited
Smuggling beetles
Beetles The Dorcus antaeus (left) and Lucanus cantori stag beetles found in Bhutan

Japanese' love for different and new pets has led to the seizure of 97 live beetles from the Paro. A Japanese tourist was trying to smuggle out stag beetles in a suitcase drilled with holes. The tourist's beetle-filled suitcase was confiscated under chapter VI, section 65 of the 2000 Forest and Nature Conservation Rules of Bhutan.

The collection of insect specimen from forests is strictly prohibited and is considered a serious offence, according to forestry officials.

Collecting and Exporting insects is prohibited

In September 2000 a complaint was filed with a local tourism company by the ministry of agriculture when the gup from Ngatshang geog, Mongar, found that a Japanese tourist had collected a large number of stag beetles. The insects were later released back in the forest. A Japanese volunteer working in Bhutan explained that specific beetles measuring up to 80 mm in length could fetch upto US$ 800 in the Japanese market two years ago. The average price was about US$ 100-US$ 200 an insect. "Everyone in Japan has this facination for beetles, especially children," he said. "I was told they make very good pets."

In November 1999 the Japanese ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries revised the law of plant protection. Since then the import of various kinds of beetles have increased substantially. Japanese import beetles from countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar, Phillipines, China, South America and France.

Bhutan with its large protected forest cover is believed to be a perfect host for the stag beetles. Mongar dzongkhag has been identified by some Japanese as one dzongkhag with a large population of stag beetles. The stag beetle is a distinctive insect. The enlarged jaws of the male, which look like the antlers of a deer stag, ensure instant recognition. However, despite their formidable appearance and threatening poses, they are quite harmless. They posses a ferocious appearance, noisy flight, fascination for lights and an alarming tendency to fly into people, but beetle experts say they should be regarded as clumsy rather than aggressive. Their 'antlers' are used as weapons, but mainly in courtship battles between rival mates.

Dorcus anteus, hexathrius bowringi, dorcus curvidens, rhaetus westwoodi, hexathrius mniszechi, lucanus villosus, hexathrius aduncus, lucanus mearesii and the lucanus westermanni are among several species of beetles found in Bhutan.

This article was contributed by KUENSEL, Bhutan's National Newspaper 2000
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