Our USDA-Permitted Isopods & Springtails

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulates terrestrial isopods as plant pests, because land-dwelling isopods can damage crops and ornamental plants. To ship them across state lines, a seller needs a PPQ 526 permit. Each permit is issued to a specific holder at a specific address, and it lists the specific organisms that holder is allowed to move.

Holy-Poly Isopods LLC holds PPQ 526 permits covering the continental United States. These are the species our permits cover, and every live animal we sell is one of them.

Isopods

• Armadillidium
  • Armadillidium klugii (Clowns)
  • Armadillidium maculatum (Zebras)
  • Armadillidium nasatum
  • Armadillidium vulgare
• Cubaris
• Cylisticus convexus
• Porcellio
  • Porcellio dilatatus
  • Porcellio laevis
  • Porcellio scaber
• Porcellionides pruinosus (Powders)
• Trichorhina tomentosa (Dwarf Whites)

Springtails

• Folsomia candida (White Springtails)

We've applied to add more springtail species, and we'll update this list as new permits come through.

List last updated October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't you carry [insert species here]?

If a species isn't on this list, it isn't covered by our USDA permits, so we don't sell or ship it. We'd love to offer more variety, and we add species as our permits allow.

Does that mean every species not on this list is illegal?

Not necessarily. Permits are specific to each permit holder, so this list shows what Holy-Poly Isopods is permitted to ship. If you're buying live isopods or springtails from anyone else, it's fair to ask whether they hold a PPQ 526 permit for that species. For questions about a specific species, contact USDA APHIS directly.

Can you ship every species on this list to every state?

Not always. Some states restrict certain species, so a few of our isopods can't ship to those states. Any restriction is listed on that species' product page.

Can I resell or release isopods I buy from you?

Without your own active PPQ 526 permit, the USDA prohibits further distribution of regulated organisms, and captive isopods and springtails should never be released into the environment. See Isopod Transport, Release, and Disposal for the full permit disclosures.

Thanks for supporting a small business that does things the right way!

This page reflects the species covered by Holy-Poly Isopods LLC's USDA permits as of the date above. It is not legal advice. Regulations and permits can change; contact USDA APHIS or your state department of agriculture with questions about your own situation.