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For some people, the idea of having tarantulas and scorpions living in their house is a nightmare; for others, keeping insects is a hobby and a passion.

Guest post byÌýCharlotte Lassaline from the Invasion Science and Wildlife Ecology Research Team at the University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ and Environment Institute.

The collection of invertebrates is a pastime that goes back as far as recorded history - the Chinese used and traded silkworms as early as 4700 BC and used honeybees in the 5th century. Most famously, Winston Churchill stocked his country house gardens with exotic butterflies while directing the defence of Britain in World War II.

Nowadays, the trade of insects and other terrestrial invertebrates feeds a niche hobby. Largely sold through online trading platforms (known as e-commerce), terrestrial invertebrates are sold near and far; from classifieds websites, social media, online pet stores, and possibly within the dark web.

For my honours project I am investigating the dynamics of Australia’s terrestrial invertebrate trade. This research will contribute to a larger project, in collaboration with researchers from the University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ investigating the Australian plant trade ( and ) and the vertebrate trade (Adam Toomes, Dr and ).

We don’t know the scale of the invertebrate trade

The global scale of the wildlife trade is largely unknown, and the increasing popularity of e-commerce websites adds another dimension to this. With the many layers and sheer vastness of the internet, online trade becomes incomprehensible. It is this inability to assess the online invertebrate trade that poses a potential threat to invertebrate conservation and biosecurity alike.

Further, tracking invertebrate trade in the physical world is equally as difficult. If we cannot carefully monitor what is entering and leaving our country, how can we protect our endangered species and stop the risk of introduced species becoming invasive?

In 2017, a Czech Republic national was caught attempting to smuggle 4,000 native terrestrial invertebrates out of Australia. In 2020, a Chinese man was caught attempting to smuggle 200 venomous scorpions out of Sri Lanka. The market and demand for exotic terrestrial invertebrates is seemingly thriving.

[caption id="attachment_15820" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image: JooJoo41 , tectocoris diophthalmus, known as the Hibiscus Harlequin Bug.Ìý[/caption]

Attempts of illegal import and export are generally policed by the Australian Customs Service in airports, and Australia Post through the mail; although it is impossible to inspect every package and luggage item entering and leaving the country. Due to the scale of the wildlife trade, the possibility of invertebrates ‘slipping through the cracks’ and remaining undetected is somewhat inevitable. The trade of invertebrates needs to be taken very seriously, not only for the welfare of the creatures, but due to the threat to human health and the potential risk of biological invasions.

Terrestrial invertebrates are the unsung heroes

TerrestrialÌýinvertebrate eclipse all other forms of life, not only in their vast numbers, but also in diversity, biomass, and ecosystem services. They help us grow crops through pollination, nourish the soil through decomposition and aeration, can act as a natural pest control, and are a food source for many animals. However, the beneficial roles they play often go unnoticed; overshadowed by the disproportionate attention given to ‘pests’.

Mammals, fish and birds, make up 3% of all species. On the other hand, invertebrates make up about 80% of global biodiversity. Sure, Koalas and Bilbies may be cuddlier and more charismatic than leeches, spiders and parasites, but this should not justify the significant bias toward vertebrates across biodiversity databases and assessments. The dinosaur ant, Lord Howe Island stick insect and Eula’s planthoppers are among a list of Australian invertebrates potentially sentenced to extinction; deemed too ugly or uncharismatic to justify conservation and protection.

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