Mantis in VA

[novaz]

I have a friend in Smithfield VA who sees lots of Mantis but says they cannot keep them as they are State protected

does anyone know if this applies to all Mantis or just those found in that state

Thanks

Royz

 

[Seattle79]

I don't think States protect Mantids. It is a myth. It should be perfectly legal to capture wild native Mantids in any State.

-Kevin

 

[kitkat39]

They may be protected if you go to a wildlife preservation park and try to take them from there?

 

[shorty]

It's a common myth in my area that killing or taking a mantis from its habitat is illegal. It may be prohibited to take mantids from protected areas or wildlife preserves, or any living thing for that matter, but they aren't specifically protected as far as I know.

I doubt very much it would be against any laws to remove them from the wildlife preserves, although I would like to know the truth in this matter.

 

[Rick]

One of the most common questions asked to me at Bugfest hundreds of times is if mantids are protected because they heard it from their cousins dads uncles friend. As far as I know it is not true. Check your local laws though since I am not sure of VA law.

 

[novaz]

thanks for the replies guys

Roy

 

[massaman]

well I think only one state has a mantis as a state insect and thats Connecticut and its the european mantis but I am not sure if it would be a protected animal or if you would be fined if you killed one as the Robin is michigans state bird and if you kill one you prob would be fined or do jail time I think!

 

[ismart]

As mentioned above! They are only protected in preserves, and parks. As far as finding one in your yard. Anything goes. I have never heard of any state legally protecting them. That is a fallacy!

 

[Seattle79]

well I think only one state has a mantis as a state insect and thats Connecticut and its the european mantis but I am not sure if it would be a protected animal or if you would be fined if you killed one as the Robin is michigans state bird and if you kill one you prob would be fined or do jail time I think!

Connecticut does not protect Mantids. You find a Mantis in Connecticut, grab it. Perfectly legal to capture/keep/kill.

-Kevin

 

[C.Price]

Virginia does not protect mantids in wildlife preserves or state parks. Very few insects are protected in Virginia.

 

[PhilinYuma]

This really is an interesting myth, which is an offshoot of the myth that it is illegal to kill a a mantis. We had a lad on here from Malaysia, last year,asking the same question about killing them, and I have heard the same thing from Mexican friends.

However, it is true that if a girl stands at a crossroads and puts a mantis on her hand, it will turn to face the direction from which her true love will come. Sunny and I watched the old movie Crossroads last weekend, and she is planning to find a crossroads where she can sell her soul to the devil, so we'll probably take a mantis along at the same time. Does anyone know if one species is better than another for this?

 

[Schloaty]

Sunny and I watched the old movie Crossroads last weekend, and she is planning to find a crossroads where she can sell her soul to the devil, so we'll probably take a mantis along at the same time. Does anyone know if one species is better than another for this?

Idolomantis DIABOLICA!

Duh.

 

[MrPitseleh]

If anyone asks me if its illegal to kill a mantis I lie . Why wouldn't you theres no reason to get them killed. :angry:

 

[massaman]

well unless you work in customs then you prob would kill them if that was your job but each to their own vices!