|
|
Post by multicaudata on Oct 13, 2012 22:27:20 GMT -8
Check out this thread related to insect collecting, found on a reptile and amphibian forum: www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1056The Washington State laws clearly state that it's illegal to collect any organism anywhere in the state -- including insects -- without a research permit. So, Washington is the first to go. I'm guessing Florida will be next... |
|
|
|
|
|
Post by lepidofrance on Oct 14, 2012 2:41:41 GMT -8
Forbidden to kill mosquitoes there ? And what about agriculture ? No pesticid ?  Crazy world ! |
|
|
|
Post by prillbug4 on Oct 14, 2012 7:45:24 GMT -8
Does this include eradicating cockroaches in your own house? Could you be arrested for killing them? Or for that matter killing Mus musculus, and the Norway Rat? Or for that matter Bed bugs? More to the topic, would you be considered in violation if you collected on your own private property? "Oh, gee, you've got a butterfly net and you're collecting on your own property. Or, what are those strange Mercury vapor lights doing on your property? You're under arrest for not having a proper research permit. It's more government intrusion into our private lives, and yes, I have a huge problem with it!!! Here in Illinois, I have research permits from the State of Illinois, and I follow the rules, but I usually go to the Shawnee National Forest to collect since I don't need permits there. Another question, does it mean that collecting is illegal in the National Forests in Washington State?
Jeff Prill
|
|
|
|
Post by multicaudata on Oct 14, 2012 18:06:45 GMT -8
Yes, all wildlife is protected anywhere in Washington State, including on private property and National Forests. The wildlife commission claims all wildlife as its property and does not allow any collecting or harassment of any animal. So, yes, you could technically be arrested for catching butterflies, trapping mice, or spraying pesticides in your garden.
I'm glad I live in California!
|
|
|
|
Post by entoman on Oct 15, 2012 18:29:41 GMT -8
I doubt Florida will succumb to this kind of idiocy any time soon (though other forms of legal idiocy will undoubtedly come about); generally speaking the only insects given any kind of legal attention in Florida are endangered butterflies and exotic invasive species. Needless to say though, should something of this effect take place in Florida I will become an active participant in civil disobedience.
|
|
|
|
Post by wollastoni on Oct 15, 2012 23:34:22 GMT -8
You should all write to Washington State authorities explaining them how their stupid decision will undermine entomological research there...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post by entoman on Oct 16, 2012 11:15:32 GMT -8
Odds are they wouldn't listen to us unless we were residents of the state of Washington. And even then I doubt that they would care very much as insect collectors are probably a negligible voting demographic. They would also probably claim that this doesn't affect entomological research because a "legitimate" entomologist could get a research permit.
|
|
|
|
Post by wollastoni on Oct 16, 2012 23:44:34 GMT -8
Well collecting has been totally banned in Alpes de Haute-Provence (France) for many years (maybe 20/30 years). And the ban has been cancelled by local authorities and it is now totally legal.
Lepidopterist Associations and scientific authorities achieved to convince local authorities that this ban undermined research in entomology.
|
|
|
|
Post by thanos on Oct 17, 2012 3:56:49 GMT -8
Unfortunately here we don't have such entomological associations (real entomology and insect collecting is a too rare science/hobby here) and we also have a psychopath butterfly photographer (Lazaros Pamperis his name) who HATES us all collectors and suggests to the authorities the complete ban of collection (he even says to be put labels in the forests to prohibit completely butterfly collecting !!, as he believes -with his ill brain and lack of real entomological knowledge (he has also many ID mistakes in his book)- that with this way the butterflies will be saved from the 'collectors-entomologists-destroyers', while the real threat is as known the destruction of their habitats and the climatic change). He denounced me 2 times to the Greek authorities (together with Thomas Maertens from Belgium) and was spying my ebay sales for more than 3 years (the man is ill and really hates all collectors), just cause he saw I've offered some specimens of protected species (but all are legal, being either from old collections, or having permits). And without asking anything (imagine that some years ago this hypocrite was pretending to be my friend, had come to my home to see my collection and even had donated to me his book !) he was denouncing me behind my back, even posted to the newspaper an article that I have earned 10 times more money from ebay that I've actually earned (and all spent to other insects for my studies !). Robert (robert61) he even denounced you, too,.. for selling some Greek butterflies on your site...! I got in this week from the police his denunciations against me and you ! He saved pages of your website (especially those containing Greek Rhopalocera) and gave them to the authorities. As well my ebay sales. The result is that he took his balls, as I understand nothing from such idiots. And I will bring charges. Such persons are really sad. Be all careful of this butterfly photographer, he has written a book named 'the butterflies of Greece' and he really HATES every collector and he is dangerous for the science of entomology and research : every person he sees collecting butterflies (especially Greek ones !, he thinks that he has got the God's order to 'save them from the killers entomologists-collectors' !!), he will try to do him bad by informing the authorities.
|
|
|
|
Post by wollastoni on Oct 17, 2012 5:16:01 GMT -8
Sure this kind of guys can make big damage.
Thanos, I suggest you to create an association with other Greek collectors and nature amateurs (even a small one). Then propose to local authorities to make some free species counting, and butterflies population evolution study.
With time, your association will have more and more influence, as long as the work you done is scientific and useful to local authorities. Do also some PR (Press Relationship).
Our amateur science is undermined by some lobbies, we have no other choice to try and defend it with our only weapon : knowledge.
|
|
|
|
Post by lepidofrance on Oct 18, 2012 9:16:08 GMT -8
About this Lazaros P.  from Greece : I'm just on the departure to french Guyane (I'll be there next Monday) and I'll try to collect there a dozen of Hylesia metabus female that I'll give you alive to insert in his home. Then, you will watch if he remains a no butterfly killer !! |
|
|
|
Post by lepidofrance on Oct 18, 2012 15:37:23 GMT -8
Here's where you have to release the Hylesia metabus female. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by thanos on Oct 18, 2012 15:47:52 GMT -8
Jean-Marc, HAHAHA ! Exactly ! Yes please, send me a few alive on your return...(together with a female Titanus giganteus for my collection if possible  ). I will give him a visit (too easy as we're in the same town..) with these looooooooovely furry sweet Saturniids with me ! |
|
|
|
Post by papiliotheona on Nov 17, 2012 22:26:39 GMT -8
Just for the record, I spoke to a WA state expert in Lepidoptera who told me that the notion of the state being off-limits to collecting is complete BS.
|
|
|
|
Post by multicaudata on Dec 5, 2012 9:55:18 GMT -8
"Just for the record, I spoke to a WA state expert in Lepidoptera who told me that the notion of the state being off-limits to collecting is complete BS"
Papiliotheona,
Who exactly was it that told you this?
|
|
