Mantid release

[Hypoponera]

This may sound silly, but does anyone know of laws or regs about the release of non-native mantids into the wild? Here in New Mexico, Chinese and European mantids are non-native. But they are sold at several gardening stores for release into yards/gardens. So should I not be able to release excess Stegmomantis carolina or Pseudovates arizonae nymphs that I hatch out? Neither is native here. How about captive breed Sphodromantis lineola or Hierodula grandis? I know the answer should be that they NOT be released. I was just wondering if anyone know of actual laws regarding this in any US state.

 

[Rob Byatt]

It is totally illegal, for very good reasons.

This is the sort of thing that could cause us problems, both in the natural environment and in the hobby.

 

[Rick]

The chinese and european are not truly natives but they have established themselves across the country starting over a hundred years ago. So they are more or less considered a native species now.

 

[Hypoponera]

It is totally illegal, for very good reasons.

Do you know of a specific law making it illegal? Or is that something you have been told. I grew up with the understanding that the mantis was a protected animal in the US. Much later, I found that it actually is not protected in most states. (It might be in Florida.) I just wanted to know if anyone knew of a specific law regarding it. I do know of laws that prohibit the shipping of ant queens across state lines.

 

[Rick]

It is totally illegal, for very good reasons.

Do you know of a specific law making it illegal? Or is that something you have been told. I grew up with the understanding that the mantis was a protected animal in the US. Much later, I found that it actually is not protected in most states. (It might be in Florida.) I just wanted to know if anyone knew of a specific law regarding it. I do know of laws that prohibit the shipping of ant queens across state lines.

It is illegal to release any non native animal.

 

[OGIGA]

I think he's looking for something specific like, "Blah blah code section 555.4 says yadda yadda yad." I personally don't know any myself.

 

[Hypoponera]

No, I don't need something super specific. I just want to know if it is illigal or not. No guesses, person beliefs or rumors. Is it or not? If it is illigal, how can you legally ship non-native mantids cross country? I can ship a colony of native, (to NM), harvester ants to New York. But the colony can not contain a queen, only workers. Queens can not be shipped due to the results if she escapes or the shipper looses the package. The workers can not reproduce and will die off eventually without getting established. If a mantid egg case is lost in transit, and hatches, you have just released non-native reproducing animals. Now do you understand why I am asking about the legality? I have access to the Arizona Unicorn Mantis and would like to try breeding it. But I want to get a handle on possible legal issues before I think about sharing them with forum members.

 

[Rick]

No, I don't need something super specific. I just want to know if it is illigal or not. No guesses, person beliefs or rumors. Is it or not? If it is illigal, how can you legally ship non-native mantids cross country? I can ship a colony of native, (to NM), harvester ants to New York. But the colony can not contain a queen, only workers. Queens can not be shipped due to the results if she escapes or the shipper looses the package. The workers can not reproduce and will die off eventually without getting established. If a mantid egg case is lost in transit, and hatches, you have just released non-native reproducing animals. Now do you understand why I am asking about the legality? I have access to the Arizona Unicorn Mantis and would like to try breeding it. But I want to get a handle on possible legal issues before I think about sharing them with forum members.

As far as mantids there has been a lot of confusion about the legality of it all. It is generally accepted that species native or established in the US are fine to ship but as far as the rest of them we are not exactly sure. So do it at your own risk. But releaseing anyting non native is most likely illegal and you shouldn't even attempt it.

 

[Rob Byatt]

If it is illigal, how can you legally ship non-native mantids cross country?

You can't. Just research what happened with cane toads, grey squirrels, rats, pigs, the Mauritius pink pigeon.... the list goes on.

The laws are there for good reasons, even if sometimes it requires a bit of common sense to answer the question of legality.

 

[yen_saw]

Releasing non-native species is a big NO, this apply not only in the US but the rest of the world.

 

[Fisherman_Brazil]

Stricky speakng, even f t were native specie, are not advised to released unless careful accessment has been done. Let the experts do their job!

 

[markdneck]

Home depot and all the other large and small nurseries here in Southern California sell mantids for pest control. Certainly they are not doing so illegally. They do it right out in the open and I bet nobody checks to see the secies being offered. How does that wiork?

 

[HempKnight]

I just got one of those and I got a European ooth and a Chinese one

 

[Rick]

Home depot and all the other large and small nurseries here in Southern California sell mantids for pest control. Certainly they are not doing so illegally. They do it right out in the open and I bet nobody checks to see the secies being offered. How does that wiork?

I believe it's fine to release them if they already live there. Just don't go out and release anything non native. If anyone has questions call up USDA and ask them if you can release.

 

[Hypoponera]

The sale of Chinese and European oothecae has spread those species across most of the US. They are basically considered "naturalized citizens" now! So they are pretty much considered safe to release in your backyard. By the way, how much does Home Depot sell oothecae for? I my need to pick up some Europeans!

 

[HempKnight]

I didn't check Home Depot but I was told to check Ace Hardware. They didn't have any in stock so I checked a local gardening store and they had them for $10. It was one Chinese ooth and one European ooth. Both hatch fine. I also checked Target and Walmart but they didn't have any.

 

[Rick]

Since this thread cannot stay on topic it will be locked. Mods, don't unlock it.