Is it illegal to own an orchid mantis in the us?

Is it illegal to own an Orchid Mantis in the U.S.? Some people say it is and others say is isnt.

It is but you need an exotic pet permit to own one and at that point if you can afford one and the permit, you'd be better off getting a nice TV or a plastic Orchid Mantis.

How much is an exotic pet permit and where can I get one?

http://www.fws.gov/international/permits/pets.html

That will give you all the information you need.

YES If you are in doubt contact USDA/APHIS which is a Federal Government Agency, the head of which can be contacted via the site and he will personally inform you that all mantids EXCEPT U.S. Native mantids, Chinese and European (M religiosa) are illegal in the United States! The tropical and other non native invasives carry pathogens to which our U.S. Native Trees are not immune! So who ever is telling you that Orchid Mantids are not illegal in the U.S. is most likely selling them! There are 20 U.S. Native speices and 2 introduced mantids allowed in the United States according to APHIS a U.S. Federal Agency