What you need to know before becoming a collector of live insects or snails

(BPT) - Insects and snails are a critical part of the planet's ecosystem. Bees, for example, pollinate important crops and provide high-quality food like honey, while snails feed on dead or rotting organic matter in the soil to speed up recycling of plant nutrients. This makes collecting and studying these fascinating creatures a rewarding hobby. But for U.S. agriculture and the environment, live insect and snail collection is serious business.

Certain insects and snails, from beetles to moths and flies, are not native to the U.S. and pose serious risks to our nation's agriculture, ecosystems and public health if they escape into the wild. To protect our natural treasures from invasive species and comply with federal and state laws, it's crucial to follow specific guidelines when collecting and caring for these animals.