He is right on the money although Ironclad will cost a whole bucket load in comparison to mantids. Mantids are a way better buy. They are very gnarly in their hunting and eating. Their humidity requirements can sometimes be an impediment though. Calling @mantisfan101 to weigh in.
Finding them is the issue. You got a connection? Mantids are very easy to come by with tons of reputable sellers on this board.
You can get one as long as it’s not a long lived species.
Then his best bet would would be a mature male tarantula. My argument stems from the possibility that it would lived longer than he planned, and then what? Feel he would be better off to wait until he/she figures out things a lil better.
No, are you crazy? He could always sell a MM to us for cheap because he doesn't need it any longer. I'm offering 20% per MM than @Poonjab
As much as I love beetles as the next dude, I think he should be looking more for local species to whet his appetite. Either local or get a quick mantis. And I 100% guarantee you there are about 50 people that are more than willing to let you release mantis in their gardens as a free insecticide.
Makes total sense to me. Native\naturalized mantis or other local species for my recommendation it is then. And yes, I know quite a few of those people
Not sure on the laws or permit requirements in Ohio, my choice would be a pair of stick or leaf insects. Okay as a pair they will eventually mate, any eggs laid can take up to 18 months to hatch, and the adults only live for a maximum of 2 years, and the best part - their food does grow on trees ( bushes).
Stick insects are very strictly regulated in the US. You would need permits and, if I recall, likely a facility.
This is correct. A two door, heavily monitored containment facility is the minimum requirement for all phasmids. Only a few people are keeping these legally, and most are associated with institutions.