Rare Ant Species Commands Prices Above $1,000 in Black Market Trade

A small ant species is being sold for prices exceeding $1,000 in some markets, reflecting a black market driven by collectors and breeders of rare insects. The unusual trade has pushed the insects’ value to levels that can rival gold and precious stones. The sale of a single insect at such a high price stands out as one of the more striking examples in nature trade. It underscores how demand for rare specimens can create a lucrative underground market around even the smallest creatures.