Suggestions

[April]

Hi eveyone,

I am a brand new member here and just discovered this site a few days ago. I have to say that I have never tried any of the living insect kits but as an animal lover I can't wait to start trying them one at a time of course! I think it is so cool that someone thought up the idea of the living insect kits. I think it is a great way to learn more about nature and that we should always treat the animals of the world with respect even the smallest ones like insects!

I did have a few ideas though for some living insect kits but haven't really researched into them so there may be reasons why these insects/creatures wouldn't work as a living insect kit due to laws or maybe too much difficulty in the raising process of them. Here is my list of future living insect kits I would like to see:

Stick Insect
Leaf Insect
Firefly or Lightning Bugs as I call them
Grasshopper
Moon Moth- I think these are the prettiest moths
Dragonfly
and to go along with the frog bog how about a living habitat for a newt

Those are some ideas I would love to see in the future! Thanks for reading!

[doctorentomology]

I like all of it/them. We're chewing on it, hope to get back soon with something concrete!

[doctorentomology]

Hi April,

In answer to your questions as to why more different kinds of insect kits are not available, I would like to take your suggestions in order:

Stick and Leaf Insects are raised by many hobbiests. They are a fascinating group of insects that take the mimicry of the plants on which
they feeds to its utmost limits. The main problem with developing a commercial rearing kit with them is that many have a poison gland on
their thorax that they use to ward off predators. This poison can cause temporary blindness and the USDA frowns greatly on this.

The problems with fireflies is that they are predators, and in order to rear them, they must be given living prey. This means 2 species would
have to be reared in order to rear the one. They are also somewhat cannibalistic in the larval state and this creates a problem in mass rearing.
They are also limited in their distribution and, should a kit be developed, it could only be sent to certain areas of the nation.

Grasshoppers are reared and sent to schools in some countries in Europe. This has never really caught on in this country. They must also
be regarded as pests and this would require special clearances from the USDA.

The Moon Moth, or Luna, is certainly a beautiful and fascinating animal. There are some scientific programs now underway to rear it on artificial
diet. A disadvantage in rearing it commercially would be it could be conceivably regarded as a pest since it feeds on a number of different trees..persimmon,
sweet gum, hickory, and walnut to name some. The USDA would have to make a decision as to its official status. It's life span is rather long;
about 3 times the length of the Painted Lady. I think it could be a candidate for rearing large scale with the above issues addressed.

I've always wanted to rear the dragonfly, but here again, a problem arrises with its food requirements. It's a predator in both the nymphal and adult
stages. Prey would have to be reared. It's a great flier as an adult and any caging to be done would have to take this into account. I have heard there are
some working on the large scale rearing of dragonflies. This would be great specimen to rear.

The Newt would be a good idea and fit nicely, I would think in the frog habitat.

Thanks for writing to us.
Dr. Entomology

[DandSGrandma]

I have been trying - at times DESPERATELY! - to find fireflies/lightning bugs......Several years ago - we took the grandkids to Connecticut, and the fireflies were very close to the top of the list as far as "events"! I appreciate the fact that Insect Lore may be trying to figure out a way to rear them - as my grandkids would love to have some our here in SoCal - but I will not hold my breath.
Should you come up with a solution to rearing them - please let me know in plenty of time to save up (a LOT of) money, as I know that the grandkids will want several - each!

[doctorentomology]

I've often thought about fireflies, too. The problems with fireflies are that,
1. They are a predator and, therefore, prey would also have to be reared to feed the larval phase of their growth.
2. They don't occur everywhere in the nation, especially not the western U.S. Therefore, we would be restricted to where Insect Lore could send them, even after getting USDA approvals.