2005.07.08 Why can't I order queen ants?

It is illegal in the United States and a few other countries because one doesn't want to import or export a queen to a non-native region where indeed the species can run rampant or cause ecological damage. --Ant and Mr. Ant

Examples: Fire Ants and Killer Bees in the Southern United States. Also a mollusk from Red Sea in northern lakes (imported on bows of ships). The examples are numerous... There are many in Australia (imported dung beetle, cats, etc.) --Mr. Ant

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) permits are required for legal shipment of insects across state lines. Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute (SASI) won't even consider supplying material outside of Arizona without one since SASI could be shut down for violations, as well as losing its permit to import Atta mexicana. The regulations are a pain, but introductions of non-native material is wreaking environmental havoc globally ants are especially troublesome, e.g., Imported Fire Ant. --Steve