Phasmatodea Legality

[mickiem]

The only species of phasmid you can keep are the ones native to your state; you cannot transfer any native phasmid species across state lines legally without a PPQ526 permit for them, which most people don't have. Even if you do get one, it seems (from what I hear) the USDA/APHIS prohibits you from raising multiple generations of the species in question.

Exotics are completely off the table right now it seems, even zoos and other such institutions are struggling to get PPQ526's for them. That said that side of the hobby is growing, both under the radar and in plain sight, and while I'm happy to see beautiful species being kept successfully, I'm also uneasy about what might be coming. Naturally the USDA/APHIS doesn't have the resources to track down everyone with them, and I highly doubt they would even if they did because there are bigger fish to fry elsewhere, but it would not surprise me if they made examples of people who were particularly public about having them/sellers.

USFWS doesn't care so much about exotic invertebrates, I've been to multiple shows were the USFWS had a booth and just a few tables down someone was selling assassin bugs and even phasmids. It's the USDA/APHIS who bust people on things like this, and they are more rarely seen at shows (their presence on forums however is known).

Thanks,

Arthroverts

Are state natives legal to sell within the state? I would love to explore some of the exotics! Hopefully someday I can. But my feeling is they will be more strict rather than less strict.

 

[Arthroverts]

Yes, if a species is native to your state and you are buying them within state you can acquire them.

Exotics are definitely "more strict", ha ha.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[XxSpiderQueenxX]

The only species of phasmid you can keep are the ones native to your state; you cannot transfer any native phasmid species across state lines legally without a PPQ526 permit for them, which most people don't have. Even if you do get one, it seems (from what I hear) the USDA/APHIS prohibits you from raising multiple generations of the species in question.

Exotics are completely off the table right now it seems, even zoos and other such institutions are struggling to get PPQ526's for them. That said that side of the hobby is growing, both under the radar and in plain sight, and while I'm happy to see beautiful species being kept successfully, I'm also uneasy about what might be coming. Naturally the USDA/APHIS doesn't have the resources to track down everyone with them, and I highly doubt they would even if they did because there are bigger fish to fry elsewhere, but it would not surprise me if they made examples of people who were particularly public about having them/sellers.

USFWS doesn't care so much about exotic invertebrates, I've been to multiple shows were the USFWS had a booth and just a few tables down someone was selling assassin bugs and even phasmids. It's the USDA/APHIS who bust people on things like this, and they are more rarely seen at shows (their presence on forums however is known).

Thanks,

Arthroverts

assasin bugs are illegal?! I see them everywhere for sale!

 

[MasterOogway]

They require a permit, yes. People are becoming increasingly brazen about selling permitted animals; I suspect in part because there has been an effort to reduce funding and support for animal welfare and regulations under the current administration. Times (and administrations) change though, and they can always become better funded and better organized, and then all the people going 'Look at my cool illegal bug' are going to be in trouble.

 

[XxSpiderQueenxX]

They require a permit, yes. People are becoming increasingly brazen about selling permitted animals; I suspect in part because there has been an effort to reduce funding and support for animal welfare and regulations under the current administration. Times (and administrations) change though, and they can always become better funded and better organized, and then all the people going 'Look at my cool illegal bug' are going to be in trouble.

woahhh i never knew that! <edit>

 

[MasterOogway]

There's been some debate about whether or not assassins are legal throughout the years; I think the best possible answer in my experience is that I am *required* to put them on a permit and so is every other zoo I deal with. So, take that for what you will.