Legal to own "pest"?

jreidsma

jreidsma

Eudicella
Hi everyone
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Just wondering if it is legal to keep beetles that could be seen as "pest" like ten lined junes beetles and Cotinis? These beetles are not in Michigan so I am thinking they cannot live in the cold winters we have. I think these beetles are rather pretty and was thinking of keeping some and breeding. But I would not release any.

My only question is, could I get fined or something for keeping things like those?

 
No, I'm sure you wouldn't, all you are doing by keeping them is preventing them to be a pest in the wild.

Yeah most 'June' beetles seem to love hot weather. But they are still around here with temps in mid 80's to 60's at night.

 
I could be wrong here but I think it is illegal to bring non native species across state lines. For example bringing them into Michigan where they are nonnative from another state where they are native. If they are pests that would be even more of a reason for this law to be enforced. I see people breaking the rule a lot with D.granti though..

 
They are considered a pest from what I've read you would be safe probably to look into into a little more...

But I can give ya a tease
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If having any insect not native to your state is illegal then we are all breaking the law though, lol. Why can't the laws be more straight forward...

That is a beautiful beetle
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I can't find any info really online... I have found a couple times though that "it is illegal to keep non-native insects" or that the USA government is very strict on keeping insects or shipping them, and that many people think it is illegal to ship them or bring them across state lines. Which is stupid...

So if that is true then we are all breaking the law, lol.

What defines a non-native insect though? Do they mean non-native to the USA? Or not native to your state?

Hmm... maybe I should post on AB and see what people think on there.

I hope the gov. doesn't break into my house and confiscate all my insects, lol.

If the laws are this strict, then it is illegal to own Eleodes or something like them to...

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/organism/insects.shtml

As a side note, do any of you keep your insect collections a secret?

 
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I would do it. Just say you didn't to the gov't, I doubt they'll care about a 'couple of bugs.' All I know is that it is strictly illegal to ship or take phasmids across state lines.

 
I think the whole point of it is to keep"pests" from becoming more wide spread in places where they don't already exist. A lot of people break this law mainly because it doesn't really seem like it should be a law. Half the people who break it wouldn't even consider owning a beetle to be a problem. I've been running into this issue with dried specimens recently. You need to do a lot of extra stuff with the USFWS to get them shipped from overseas but I know there must be thousands of people who never even think that filling out forums, shipping through ports, paying inspection fees, and paying for permits would be needed to have them shipped over and to resell them. They fact that what you want to get are considered "pests" makes it a bigger deal if you were to get in trouble for it.

 
Someone on the forum once mentioned starting a petition but i don't think it ever happened or if it would help anyways..

 
im keeping a termite colony ( pacific damp wood termites) i went to pest control and they said they rarely count as a pest so im keeping the queen and the colony
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im using them as a feeder insect and they work great except the soldiers who are aggressive
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they live in small numbers and when they make reproductives i might sell them if anyone wants it but is it legal to ship termites states to state??? ps i hope goverment dudes are not in this forume
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and i heard one of my friends friends keeps a non native colony from mexico and all the rhino beetles and spiders because his uncle works at the airport and he just keep insects in his poket and hand to him... im kind of jealous but i dont want to
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i dont know his name and never saw him but i dont think ill risk it

 
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I talked to USDA today and they said dynastes tityus and granti were considered pests because they eat plant roots. I have never heard of this and don't know how true it is but it's what I was told. They said a permit would be required to have them shipped to you and for you to keep them. Lucanus elaphus on the other hand I was told was not considered a pest and didn't require a permit.

What I am getting at is now I know for sure pests cannot be moved interstate without a permit but I think non pests can.

I still can't believe dynastes tityus and granti are considered pest and really feel that should change..

 
Jordan said:
I talked to USDA today and they said dynastes tityus and granti were considered pests because they eat plant roots. I have never heard of this and don't know how true it is but it's what I was told. They said a permit would be required to have them shipped to you and for you to keep them. Lucanus elaphus on the other hand I was told was not considered a pest and didn't require a permit.

What I am getting at is now I know for sure pests cannot be moved interstate without a permit but I think non pests can.

I still can't believe dynastes tityus and granti are considered pest and really feel that should change..
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How can Dynastes be a pest when they eat rotting wood....

I think that beetle wise I will be sticking with things like Eleodes, that don't need rotting wood.

 
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