Rare birdwing butterflies star in federal case against NY man accused of trafficking insects

By BOBBY CAINA CALVAN
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors in New York are seeking forfeiture of a collection of 1,000 butterflies, moths and other insects that authorities say were illegally trafficked. Some of the dried specimens include birdwing butterflies, which are among the rarest and largest to grace the planet. The wings of the large flying insects span the width of a dinner plate. Birdwings are found in rainforests of Southeast Asia and Australia. The six-count indictment accuses Charles Limmer of working with overseas collaborators to smuggle some 1,000 moths and butterflies, including some of the rarest and most endangered in the world. Attempts to reach Limmer were unsuccessful.