Legality of shipping Tenebrionidae between states?

[CanebrakeRattlesnake]

I've been looking into maybe getting some desert beetles (and possibly velvet ants) to put in a nice big tank but I'm really getting confused over laws. After seeing issues with various isopods needing permits I grew concerned about the legality of getting beetles.

The USDA website states "A PPQ 526 permit is required for the importation, interstate movement and environmental release of most insects and mites that feed upon or infest plants or plant products, including agricultural crops, trees, shrubs, native plants, etc."

I'm interested in Eleodes sp., Asbolus sp., Phloeodes sp., Cerenopus sp., and maybe some velvet ants of Dasymutilla sp.

I live in Wisconsin so I'm not able to go out and get the beetles myself, and I've never seen any velvet ants around here.

Have any of you guys ever inquired with the USDA/FWS/DNR about shipping these species over state lines? Have any of you applied for a PPQ 526 permit and can tell me how it went?

I know I can just email them myself and ask but I figure it would be good to talk about here so other keepers can be informed, I don't want anyone to accidentally get in trouble over beetles. If no one here knows I suppose I'll ask them myself and just post their response for you guys.

Thank you!

 

[goliathusdavid]

Most native beetles (and ALL exotics with the exception of three Goliathus species) are going to require a PPQ 526 to possess or move across state lines, though there are exemptions for a few Tenebrionidae and all Carabidae. The following link will outline regulations based on family, and the exemptions:
https://themantismenagerie.com/usda/arthropoda/insecta/coleoptera/
As for velvet ants, you are almost certainly going to need a permit, and regulations are particularly strict surrounding wasps and bees due to declining honey bee population. For the specifics, you are definitely going to have to contact USDA\APHIS. FWS permits are only necessary for importation. I cannot speak to Wisconsin's DNR rules though most states (with the notable exception of Florida) are pretty lax. I know in PA there are practically no state laws on the books regarding captive inverts, it is all left to the feds.
Let me know if I can help with any other questions!

 

[CanebrakeRattlesnake]

Most native beetles (and ALL exotics with the exception of three Goliathus species) are going to require a PPQ 526 to possess or move across state lines, though there are exemptions for a few Tenebrionidae and all Carabidae. The following link will outline regulations based on family, and the exemptions:
https://themantismenagerie.com/usda/arthropoda/insecta/coleoptera/
As for velvet ants, you are almost certainly going to need a permit, and regulations are particularly strict surrounding wasps and bees due to declining honey bee population. For the specifics, you are definitely going to have to contact USDA\APHIS. FWS permits are only necessary for importation. I cannot speak to Wisconsin's DNR rules though most states (with the notable exception of Florida) are pretty lax. I know in PA there are practically no state laws on the books regarding captive inverts, it is all left to the feds.
Let me know if I can help with any other questions!

Thanks! I guess I'll have to look into getting a permit then. Have you ever applied for one?

 

[goliathusdavid]

I am in the process of applying, stuck on identity verification right now. (Unfortunately APHIS does not recognize that I am in fact a citizen, 18, and registered voter so apparently I have to set up an appointment for them to check that I am me.) But numerous other hobbyists on this forum have successfully gone through this process (and do not normally get so stuck on a simple step). Highly recommend the attached thread which details @Arthroverts 's process:
https://arachnoboards.com/threads/ppq-526s-for-millipedes.336150/#post-3129118

Also here the USDA\APHIS information page of PPQ 526's which also gives you information on how to apply, to save you some legwork:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...n/permits/regulated-organism-and-soil-permits

It can be a pain, but is a necessary and important step to keep many species while staying within the law (and protecting agriculture and wildlife in so doing). Thanks for doing the research on this!

 

[CanebrakeRattlesnake]

Thank you so much! I might end up being lazy and getting something that doesn't need permits like roaches or a spider but if I do decide to get beetles I'll definitely get a permit first.

 

[RoachCoach]

Most native beetles (and ALL exotics with the exception of three Goliathus species) are going to require a PPQ 526 to possess or move across state lines, though there are exemptions for a few Tenebrionidae and all Carabidae. The following link will outline regulations based on family, and the exemptions:
https://themantismenagerie.com/usda/arthropoda/insecta/coleoptera/
As for velvet ants, you are almost certainly going to need a permit, and regulations are particularly strict surrounding wasps and bees due to declining honey bee population. For the specifics, you are definitely going to have to contact USDA\APHIS. FWS permits are only necessary for importation. I cannot speak to Wisconsin's DNR rules though most states (with the notable exception of Florida) are pretty lax. I know in PA there are practically no state laws on the books regarding captive inverts, it is all left to the feds.
Let me know if I can help with any other questions!

Probably because any single insect that can make it out of you guys house and into PA winters and survive should be destroyed, Immediately.

 

[goliathusdavid]

Probably because any single insect that can make it out of you guys house and into PA winters and survive should be destroyed, Immediately.

All except for the lanternflies

 

[CanebrakeRattlesnake]

Well, finally got around attempting to apply and got stuck on ID verification as well

Of course it doesn't tell you what you did wrong. Their website says "For security purposes we cannot tell you why you failed the online identity verification process. Common reasons for failure may include incorrect entry of your SSN, incorrect response to the online quiz or not enough historical credit data to create the online quiz."

I'm pretty sure my SSN is correct so maybe something to do with historical credit data? I don't know what that means but I don't own a credit card and I've never earned enough money to have to pay taxes before so maybe that's why. So I guess I need to go to one of their locations to prove I'm a real live human being.

Of course I don't have an ID either. I have a lot of mental health issues so I've never had a proper job where I have to drive somewhere so I don't have a drivers license and I just haven't bothered to get an ID until now.

Guess I gotta find time to go stand in line at the DMV

 

[goliathusdavid]

Well, finally got around attempting to apply and got stuck on ID verification as well

Of course it doesn't tell you what you did wrong. Their website says "For security purposes we cannot tell you why you failed the online identity verification process. Common reasons for failure may include incorrect entry of your SSN, incorrect response to the online quiz or not enough historical credit data to create the online quiz."

I'm pretty sure my SSN is correct so maybe something to do with historical credit data? I don't know what that means but I don't own a credit card and I've never earned enough money to have to pay taxes before so maybe that's why. So I guess I need to go to one of their locations to prove I'm a real live human being.

Of course I don't have an ID either. I have a lot of mental health issues so I've never had a proper job where I have to drive somewhere so I don't have a drivers license and I just haven't bothered to get an ID until now.

Guess I gotta find time to go stand in line at the DMV

Most likely issue is lack of historical data. I think a birth certificate could theoretically work for identification, and a passport (if you have one, even expired) definitely could. But yes, unfortunately you will have to visit a verification center. An extra problem in my state is that almost all USDA facilities have been closed due to COVID restrictions, so you have to set up a zoom meeting with them, but they never check their voicemails. Still trying to email. *Sigh* All worth it in the end though.

 

[CanebrakeRattlesnake]

Most likely issue is lack of historical data. I think a birth certificate could theoretically work for identification, and a passport (if you have one, even expired) definitely could. But yes, unfortunately you will have to visit a verification center. An extra problem in my state is that almost all USDA facilities have been closed due to COVID restrictions, so you have to set up a zoom meeting with them, but they never check their voicemails. Still trying to email. *Sigh* All worth it in the end though.

Aw, I hope they see your email soon! I'm not sure if my USDA facilities are open, I don't think there's one in my city so I might have to find a different one nearby.