Maybe I'm misunderstanding, I thought you couldn't have any isopods on the OP's list without a containment facility? P. Spinicornis isn't on the list so I thought I couldn't have it.
Oh, ok! Thanks, I'm still trying to figure out what species I should apply for but hopefully I can submit for a permit soon.
Thank you so much! Honestly I think I'll just get a permit for the 14 species and stick to them along with some other assorted bugs. I wish they would at least write these laws in ways that weren't so convoluted and messy.
More clarity would be nice for sure. But they are just trying to protect agriculture and native wildlife. At the end of the day it's for the best (though I know there are many who would argue with me on thatThank you so much! Honestly I think I'll just get a permit for the 14 species and stick to them along with some other assorted bugs. I wish they would at least write these laws in ways that weren't so convoluted and messy.
).
Yes, exactly. Sometimes it's hard to remember that even if you can keep something with no issue and prevent it from becoming an invasive species there are other collectors out there who won't be so careful.More clarity would be nice for sure. But they are just trying to protect agriculture and native wildlife. At the end of the day it's for the best (though I know there are many who would argue with me on that
Oof. I am sorry, but not surprised. Florida is EXTREMELY strict about inverts, and is trying to crack down on some of the invert and vertebrate exotics that are all over the state. Not that that's working very well, but theyre trying.
Incorrect, they are already aware. I have spent many hours on the phone with different USDA senior entomologists (Carlos Blanco is one of them), and they have all admitted that it is well-known how prevalent illegal species are in the hobby. A simple Google search for "orchid mantis for sale", and there is USMantis, Pan Terra Pets, Mantis Place, Mantid Kingdom, and Mantis Zoo all on the first page of results. Despite this prominent, illegal activity, those sites all seem to be escaping repercussions.
This is not quite accurate. While this whole scenario is one of the most confusing issues I have encountered, the permits for these are actually a simple matter to obtain. I have the permits to purchase Archispirostreptus gigas from any source in the Continental US without needing a containment facility. The evidence that there is not a ban on the hobby is that I cannot find them in the museum networks either. I have connections with many insectariums across the country, and I do not know of any importations occurring anywhere. My understanding of their disappearance is that the suppliers in the source countries were stopped from selling, although again, I do not think the concern was the millipedes themselves. If you can find sources in the US, then the permits may be worth pursuing.
Coconut coir should also be allowed if you want. You can request it to be allowed on the permit if the proposed conditions prohibits it.
The regulations seem to vary arbitrarily depending on the official relaying the information. I know other hobbyists locally who were not aware of the regulations, and considering one of the hobbyists in question actually works at the local USDA branch, this means that the understanding of the regulation varies. So while the technical authorities on the matter (the aforementioned senior entomologists) have laid out the regulations as stated on my site, there seem to be discrepancies when the subordinates are conveying the rules. In which case, do not condemn other hobbyists on the basis of regulatory negligence as there is a potential that they have been given very different information by the others at the USDA or by state agricultural officials, depending on who they asked.
I am really sorry for the false information everyone. My apologies.
