At the age of seven or eight, my father, an expert in biology, brought home what I initially assumed was just a jar full of sticks. To my surprise, when they began to move, he informed me they were actually stick insects. I found them fascinating; they may not have been cute, but they had a unique charm. They were undeniably cool.

It seems I was ahead of my time. Recently, two Belgian teenagers were released from a Kenyan prison after paying fines related to wildlife copyright violations. They admitted to trying to smuggle 5,000 ants out of the country. Such actions are part of the growing global trade in exotic pets, often reported as “booming”. Their catch included the giant African harvester ants (Messor cephalotes), which can sell for around £170 in the UK.

Ants are just one type of invertebrate being traded and kept as pets. Other creatures in this menagerie include spiders, scorpions, various beetles, cockroaches, grasshoppers, snails, slugs, and stick insects.

Recent research has identified that almost 1,000 invertebrate species are involved in the exotic pet market. Some are traded legally, while others are illegal. The giant African harvester ant is a protected species in Kenya.

Keeping invertebrates as pets might seem like an innocent hobby, but it can have serious implications for biodiversity. Estimates suggest that two-thirds of the arachnids sold are poached from the wild. In Mexico, the population of Brachypelma tarantulas has significantly declined due to overharvesting. Additionally, poachers targeting troglobionts—species adapted to living in caves—in the limestone karsts of southeastern Europe have pushed some insect populations towards extinction.

Unsustainable harvesting further disrupts ecosystems. Invertebrates serve as crucial food sources for many vertebrates and play significant roles in vital ecosystem functions like decomposition and nutrient cycling.

Poaching destroys habitats, harming not only the target animals but also the ecosystems where they reside. Many tarantulas inhabit bromeliads, which also provide shelter for frogs and other creatures. According to Caroline Sayari Fukushima from Tarantupedia, poachers damage these plants, killing them along with the animals relying on them. In some regions, pitfall traps set by poachers are responsible for the deaths of thousands of non-target species.

Exotic invertebrates are also a threat to their new environments. Of the ant species currently being traded, 57 have been classified as invasive by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with 13 identified as some of the worst invaders.

Halting this trade is exceedingly challenging. A Kenyan judge sentenced a Belgian national to a fine of 1 million Kenyan Shillings (£5,700) to signal that wildlife trafficking is intolerable. Nevertheless, smuggling persists. I have discovered numerous websites promoting the giant African harvester ant, which is native only to East Africa.

A Belgian teenager was caught attempting to smuggle invertebrates; as noted in a 2022 study on the global arachnid trade, smuggling these pets is relatively easier than trafficking other animals. They are small, easily concealed, and can evade detection by airport x-ray machines or thermal cameras. Customs officials often lack the necessary taxonomic expertise, allowing protected species to be misidentified as legal imports.

This situation exemplifies the age-old issues of greed, exploitation, and environmental destruction. However, it doesn’t have to remain this way. Biologists suggest that the invertebrate trade can be sustainable. By responsibly harvesting wild species, we can support the livelihoods of some of the world’s poorest communities while minimizing harmful practices like illegal logging. Increased awareness of the trade has spurred much-needed research on the conservation status of various species, bringing attention to those historically overlooked by organizations such as the IUCN.

Collectors often share a genuine interest in the incredible diversity of our planet and can play a role in conservation efforts. They should be encouraged to pursue their hobby within a well-regulated framework that ensures non-invasive and sustainably sourced invertebrates. While I won’t be acquiring any more stick insects, they certainly ignited my interest in nature.

Graham’s Week

What I’m reading

Many Things Under the Rock: The Mystery of the Octopus by David Scheel.

What I’m watching

Survivors on Netflix.

What I’m working on

The York Festival of Ideas is happening this week, so I’m exploring stories and events for inspiration… uh… ideas.

Graham Lawton is a staff writer for New Scientist and author of Must Not Grumble: The Surprising Science of Everyday Ailments. You can follow him @grahamlawton