Bioactive roach tank.

[isopodgeek]

I am thinking of setting up a 20 gallon long aquarium and turning it into a bioactive roach habitat. I was told by a fellow arachnoboard members that roaches and isopods don't mix together. However, I was recommended to use Buffalo Beatles.

The one thing I am unsure about is whether I need a permit to keep buffalo beetles. I wonder this as most Beatles require a permit. So, do buffalo beetles need a permit or are the unregulated/deregulated?

 

[RoachCoach]

I am thinking of setting up a 20 gallon long aquarium and turning it into a bioactive roach habitat. I was told by a fellow arachnoboard members that roaches and isopods don't mix together. However, I was recommended to use Buffalo Beatles.

The one thing I am unsure about is whether I need a permit to keep buffalo beetles. I wonder this as most Beatles require a permit. So, do buffalo beetles need a permit or are the unregulated/deregulated?

If you are in North America buffalo beetles and demisted beetles are both common. You need to worry about them when you have any birds or chickens that may get at them. They transmit avian diseases.
Wiki-
The lesser mealworm beetle is a vector of many pathogens. It spreads more than 30 bird diseases.[6] It transmits animal viruses such as rotavirus,[7] the turkey coronavirus, the chicken viruses that cause Marek's disease and infectious bursal disease, and the viruses that cause Newcastle disease, avian influenza,[1] and fowlpox.[8] It transmits bacteria such as Campylobacter jejuni,[9] Salmonella typhimurium serovar, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus species.[1] A single exposure of a chick to a contaminated beetle can result in bacterial colonization of the bird's gut.[10] Chicks are more likely to be infected by eating larvae than adult beetles.[11] The beetle can also transmit Aspergillus fungi. It is a vector for Eimeria, protozoa that cause coccidiosis in birds.[1] It carries fowl tapeworms such as Choanotaenia infundibulum and the nematodes Subulura brumpti and Hadjelia truncata.[12]

Poultry have difficulty digesting the beetle and larva, and if they eat them, they can experience intestinal obstruction and gut lesions.[1] Broiler chickens and turkey poults have slower weight gain when they feed on the beetle.[9]

 

[goliathusdavid]

Buffalo beetles do require a PPQ 526 permit for interstate movement. I was surprised not to find them on the latest exemption given their widespread use in the hobby but on closer examination this makes sense due to their ability to act as a vector, as RoachCoach outlined. I have to admit I was not fully aware of this, but as I am getting ready to teach a class on the epidemiological implications of the wildlife trade, I am happy to have another example insect species. Thanks @RoachCoach!

The only beetle species that are deregulated are three Goliathus species, carnivorous beetles in the family Carabidae, and the exemptions listed here.
For a more comprehensive list of the regulations surrounding ALL arthropods, I highly recommend The Mantis Menagerie's website:
https://themantismenagerie.com/usda/arthropoda/diplopoda/

 

[isopodgeek]

Buffalo beetles do require a PPQ 526 permit for interstate movement. I was surprised not to find them on the latest exemption given their widespread use in the hobby but on closer examination this makes sense due to their ability to act as a vector, as RoachCoach outlined. I have to admit I was not fully aware of this, but as I am getting ready to teach a class on the epidemiological implications of the wildlife trade, I am happy to have another example insect species. Thanks @RoachCoach!

The only beetle species that are deregulated are three Goliathus species, carnivorous beetles in the family Carabidae, and the exemptions listed here.
For a more comprehensive list of the regulations surrounding ALL arthropods, I highly recommend The Mantis Menagerie's website:
https://themantismenagerie.com/usda/arthropoda/diplopoda/

Really?! I messaged Mantis Menagerie and he said that they were deregulated.

 

[isopodgeek]

Just checked the APHIS document of deregulated plant pests and Buffalo Beetles are on the list. They are listed as Lesser Mealworm.

 

[RoachCoach]

Really?! I messaged Mantis Menagerie and he said that they were deregulated.

As a link from USDA
The movement of insects, mites and ticks that affect animals or vector animal diseases require permits from Veterinary Services.
I'm glad @goliathusdavid mentioned this. They are very, almost ridiculously similar to Tenebrio Molitor/Obscurus. All the way down to the tribe. Then they branch from Tenebrioninae to Alphitobiini. I mean, if you are going to ship anything questionable do it with UPS or FedEx. Using USPS to ship something that the USDA has on the naughty list is asking for a spanking no one in this entire spectrum wants to get.

 

[RoachCoach]

Just checked the APHIS document of deregulated plant pests and Buffalo Beetles are on the list. They are listed as Lesser Mealworm.

Can you link it. I can't find that. Their entire list on USDA website for Tenebrionidae no permit is

• Oryzaephilus mercator — Merchant Grain Beetle
• Oryzaephilus surinamensis — Sawtoothed Grain Beetle
• Tenebrio molitor — Mealworm
• Tenebrio obscurus — Dark Mealworm
• Tenebroides mauritanicus — Cadelle Beetle
• Tribolium castaneum — Red Flour Beetle
• Tribolium confusum — Confused Rice Flour Beetle
• Zophobas morio — Superworm

 

[isopodgeek]

USDA APHIS | Native and Naturalized Plant Pest Permitted by Regulation

www.aphis.usda.gov

 

[RoachCoach]

USDA APHIS | Native and Naturalized Plant Pest Permitted by Regulation

www.aphis.usda.gov

Wheew, good thing I shipped all my buffalo beetles after.....uh August 9th 2019. Ya

 

[RoachCoach]

I'm so glad to see Macropanesthia Rhinoceros on that list too. I know I couldn't even sell both my kidneys to get one yet. But kudos to the USDA for recognizing the benefit to hobby and interest it will probably pull in. Get on it Peter. Here's to me using my retirement money to get one.

for anyone interested. Sorry for the tangent.

 

[isopodgeek]

I just found this list of all USDA APHIS regulated plant pests. Last updated on June 2, 2020.

U.S. Regulated Plant Pest Table | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

www.aphis.usda.gov

 

[isopodgeek]

The website link I listed above is best viewed from a desktop.

 

[goliathusdavid]

I am so sorry I messed up on Buffalo beetles! I was looking for them under that name which is why I missed them on both Mantis Menagerie and the USDA list. But glad to hear they are deregulated!