Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-14

SHENYANG, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Shenyang Customs in northeast China's Liaoning Province has seized nine live Hercules beetles, one of the largest beetle species, in a parcel.

During regular checking of mails, the customs discovered nine plastic boxes in a parcel sent from Japan, with each box containing one beetle.

Live insects are prohibited from entering China via mail, and illicit mailing of Hercules beetles could pose a threat to the country's eco-system, according to the customs.

In recent years, Hercules beetles have gained popularity among China's rare pet lovers, with their prices soaring up to thousands of yuan per beetle.