ABOUT US

What is God of Insects?

God of Insects is a company that specializes in almost all things that have to do with arthropods, especially their sale to you. To read more about what we do, go here.

Where is God of Insects located?

God of Insects currently exists only in the black void of Cyberspace. Our employees and collection reside in and around the New York City area. The collection is not yet on view to the public (contact us if you have an available exhibition space).

BUYING SPECIMENS

How are insects available for sale to me?

We mostly sell dead specimens as pictured in our Museum. These specimens can also be ordered in any position that Nature's design allows. Specimens with small tears, chips, scratches or other minor defects are sometimes available for lower prices. For additional fees we offer specimens in top-quality frames and display cases. Less expensive collections are available as well. While we mostly sell dead specimens, some species are available live. We also have Bug Wranglers available to allow you access to our private collection.

Where are the prices?

Prices quoted will be for undamaged, unmounted, spread, individual, dead specimens unless otherwise noted. Prices can be found by clicking on specimen images in our Museum. Just click on a thumbnail image in the Museum to view an individual specimen page and the price will be displayed on the left hand side along with other information.  As you see different specimens that you're interested in, click on one of the small, thumbnail images for a specimen's information page.  If you're interested in ordering, go to the order page. Specimens with small tears, chips, scratches or other minor defects are sometimes available for lower prices. If you do not want to spend a lot of money on spread, individual specimens then please check out our less expensive budget insect collections

What does it mean if a specimen is NA/Not Available?

If a specimen is listed is Not Available (NA), it is something we do not normally stock for sale. That does not mean it is never available, it simply may be very hard to obtain. Always feel free to inquire - it may have just arrived.

PAYMENT/REFUNDS

How do I pay?

For fast service, we use PayPal for secure online money transfers. Please tell us what you want by using our order form and we will invoice you through PayPal. If you do not want to pay us via the Internet we also accept teller checks and money orders. We also accept personal checks but those will have to clear before we will ship your specimens. If you are a school we will accept your purchase order.

Do you provide refunds if a customer is unsatisfied?

Yes, but the product or specimen(s) must be returned first. Also, refunds are not provided if the notification of a desire to return the product occurs after 30 days have passed since delivery. Damaged items are handled the same way but with a more complicated return procedure (please contact us for the procedure). Although many of the things we offer for sale can be returned for a refund, complete refunds cannot always be given for products that were custom made for a specific purpose. Custom products include but are not limited to: illustrations, models, custom-mounted or custom-framed specimens and any arthropod specimen ordered in a quantity of 5 of or more. Labor charges are always non-refundable.

SHIPPING

What does shipping cost?

Shipping is calculated by what you buy, where you are and how soon you want it. Standard ground shipping takes between 1-5 business days. We are in NY so if you are in NY too your package will arrive in about 1 day via ground shipping. If you are in CA, your package will arrive in about 5 days via ground shipping. The delivery time to the areas in between ranges between these two figures. If you are ordering dried specimens, they must be packaged securely (pinned into a box and then packed into another box). The minimum shipping total for ground shipping is usually $20 (this charge includes a package/packing fee). Small packages (12"X10"X8") containing dried specimens can be shipped for $15. Our minimum shipping charge will never be less than $10. Express charges can range from $30-$100, depending on where you are and how fast you want it shipped.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, but this requires the services of a shipping broker and a U.S. Fish & Wildlife 3177 form must be filled out (we will do this for you). Each country also has its own customs or import fees as well as taxes for imported goods, all additional costs that we have no control over. The total for all this ($300+) may prove to be prohibitive to some.

HOW IT'S ALL DONE

Where do these insects that you sell come from?

Our specimens come from many different sources. Some are purchased from importers here in the U.S.A, some from collectors overseas and some are collected here in the U.S.A. All our birdwing butterflies are farmed (CITES info available upon request).

Are the dead insects you sell killed so they can be sold?

Yes, they are killed (unless they are kept alive for breeding purposes). Some insects are farmed specifically for sale in the insect trade, similar to how chickens and cows are raised for slaughter. Insect farming is actually good for the environment because it requires little space and encourages the indigenous people of a given area to preserve their land for the growing of insects as opposed to clearing it to raise other cash crops. It also helps eliminate illegal insect poaching. Over-collecting at any time is strictly frowned upon and we sell no endangered species. Many insects live briefly as adults and will emerge at certain times of the year in great abundance in order to ensure that any deaths incurred in their population have little effect. It is during these times of plenty that we do our own seasonal collecting.

How are the insects preserved?

Although it may surprise some people, the insects are simply dried out. Since they have exoskeletons, their form generally does not change when the animal is desiccated. They are archival like this and will not disintegrate as long as they are kept away from moisture (they will get moldy), light (they will fade) and pests (they will get eaten). Use of an applied fumigant is recommended for the long-term storage of specimens not protected inside a frame.

Are the colors of the insects all natural?

Yes, all the colors are real. We do not enhance the color of any insect in any way. They are as they were created by Nature. Only a few insects loose their colors when they die. These include some of the shades of green that color mantids and katydids, which tend to fade to brown. Also, the prismatic colors in the eyes of many insects, such as dragonflies and tabanid flies, will not remain after death (the eyes turn brown).

ACQUIRING LIVE INSECTS

Do you sell live insects?

We mostly sell them dead but some are available live. Bug Wranglers are available to help you manage these insects if they are purchased for commercial purposes.

How do I obtain live butterflies for when I need them?

We need notification in advance most of time. Butterflies and moths are stored as cocoons or chrysalids not as adults and they are often kept in cold storage to induce a state of hibernation. Many species need several weeks to prepare for emergence once they are warmed up again. Because of this we need as much advance notice as possible to ensure you get what you want.

TELEPHONE CONTACT

Will you call me if I provide a telephone number?

Only if it's absolutely necessary. Please have a look around our website first and understand that we cannot process credit card orders over the phone.

I don't want you to have my telephone number - is this OK?

It's funny how some people want you to call them and other people don't. We request your telephone number on our order form because it is useful if we, or our courier, have questions regarding shipping. Your telephone number will never be sold or used for any purpose other than contacting you regarding your order.

What is your telephone number?

Please do not call us asking if we sell bugs if you have not looked around the website first.  Our telephone number is 646-334-6414 but we prefer to be contacted through email.  We are often in the field collecting, so if you leave a message please send an email as well.  It is always best if you can just send us an email with your question as we may have to direct you to a page on our website anyway.  Email can be sent to abbadon@godofinsects.com

OTHER QUESTIONS

Do you provide help to students?

We will always try and answer any question posed. In addition, we are constantly updating our files and always adding new information. For students seeking actual specimens, whether for a class project or for individual study, we offer inexpensive student insect collections.

How can I collect insects on my own?

First off, you will need a net and an assemblage of jars and vials. You'll need killing fluids (alcohol, either isopropyl or ethyl, is the least dangerous and the most readily available) if you wish to make a collection of pinned or preserved insects and you'll need tanks to house your quarry if you wish to keep them alive. For more information on the basics of insect collecting, just find a good book on insects. There is also a wealth of information available on the Internet.