We are often afraid to see insects or consider them harmful, but some insects are so special that the eyes are open after hearing their price. Today we are talking about the most expensive insects in the world, whose price has reached millions of rupees.
The name of this insect is Yarsagumba, also known as ‘Himalayan Viagra’. It is a kind of fungus that grows on the body of a particular insect. This worm is found in Nepal, Tibet and the high hilly areas of India and there is tremendous demand in its smuggling to black market.
Yarsagumba is not a common worm, but it is a mixed form of a worm and fungus. It is formed by a fungus called ophiocordyceps sinensis, which thrives like a parasite in the body of caterpillar. These insects are found in the snowy hills of the Himalayas like Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Nepal and Tibet. In summer, people go to these height areas and gather them.
The price of Yarsagumba can go up to ₹ 20 lakh per kg in the market. The biggest reason for its high price is its popularity as a medicine. It is used to increase sexual attraction in traditional Chinese and Tibetan therapy, relieve fatigue and strengthen immunity. This is why it has tremendous demand in China, Japan and Korea.
The demand for this precious insect is so high that its illegal smuggling has now become a matter of concern. Many countries have made rules on its collection and sale, yet it is smuggled indiscriminately in the black market. In India too, the forest department monitors it, but sometimes people secretly take it out of icy forests and sell it for a hefty amount.
