Ellen Alden

[Adam Cotton]

I replied to an advert offering live pupae posted earlier this month (I cannot find the advert any more). I was rather surprised to find they had European and African species as well as a range of US Papilios and can ship overseas from the US without problems.

I replied a few days ago stating that I want to buy overwintering pupae when they are available, and received an e-mail last night stating that they "now have overwintering pupae". I find this very suspicious as overwintering pupae shouldn't be available until at least September/October.

Does anyone know this supplier? Their e-mail address is [e-mail]. The standard of English in their replies is very good, and they claim to be in the USA (I don't remember which state).

Adam.

[wingedwishes]

I'd be nearly shocked if they are legitimate. Getting permission / permits to breed non native insects in the USA is possible but is unlikely.

[Adam Cotton]

Raised my suspicions straight away, but when they said they have overwintering pupae now alarm bells started ringing.

Adam.

[joee30]

I am having a blast with a scammer that goes by the name os Matilda nadia. She/he supposedly are from Oceanside,CA , but do their collecting in Africa. She has offerend me Hylophora columbia and cecropia that have 4 broods, and Papilio indra fordi and Philotes sonorensis, which are California endemics, that are very common in their part of cameroon. For all their trouble in trying to scam me, I will send them $1 american dollar, so they can get something to eat. These people are just ridiculous!

[creobroter]

i had that problem with this mathilda nadia person too
it's amazing what peeps will do to try and get your $$