21 Oct 2023

Rare butterflies trafficked into U.S from Solomon Islands

From , 6:03 am on 21 October 2023
monarch butterflies

Photo: Sally Round

Pacific nations are being targeted in the black market for butterflies. 

Environmental advocates from the Solomon Islands are concerned wildlife trade is destroying the country's unique ecosystem. 

It comes after a New York man was accused of smuggling $200,000 USD worth of deceased insects into the States, including rare butterflies from the Solomon Islands. 

RNZ Pacific's Caleb Fotheringham has the story.