Other equipment

Rearing and mating cages
Both these are essentially circular tubes of netting normally 100cm/40in in height (smaller sizes can be requested and made by special order). Rearing cages are open at the bottom, so they can be fitted over a potted plant providing the larvae with fresh growing leaves. Mating cages (view picture) are totally enclosed and fitted with one 45cm/18in zip (a second can be fitted on request). Normally both these items are made of black polyester netting.

Bait traps
These are used in tropical habitats to catch butterflies by luring them to a bait of ripe fruit or meat. They consist of a circular 'table' on which the bait is placed, slung below a tube of netting. Butterflies, disturbed from the bait, fly up into the net. Bait traps are only made to order. The basic trap comprises a simple tube 100cm/40in high and 30cm/12in in diameter with a 35cm/14in diameter table (view picture). A more efficient version is our cone trap (view picture). This has an inverted cone of netting at the base of the tube and above the table which prevents butterflies escaping from the trap.

Storkbill forceps
These are made specially for B&S Entomological Services from flexible stainless steel. They are light with fine tips and require minimal pressure to operate so are extremely useful for handling delicate larvae and the smallest of insects. View picture

Flexi-drive
An extremely useful tool for tightening (or loosening) the worm drive hose (jubilee clip) on our Malaise trap head. The head is hexagonal to fit over the head of the tightening screw and is much easier to operate than a slot head screwdriver. View picture