A 75-year-old New York man’s illegal butterfly business has been grounded after a federal investigation revealed a $200,000 smuggling operation of protected species, including some of the world’s most endangered butterflies. Charles Limmer of Commack, New York, who claimed to be a professional lepidopterist (butterfly expert), received two years of home confinement and must pay $5,500 in fines. The court ordered him to forfeit his massive collection of over 17,000 butterflies and insects, along with $30,000 in illegal profits. The illegal wildlife trade continues to threaten protected species, where rare butterflies can fetch hundreds of dollars each. Limmer sold his … Continue reading Illegal Butterfly Trade Busted: $200K in Sales and 17,000 Endangered Specimens Seized