CAGES
Important: Please follow guidance under Plastic Rearing Containers for keeping young larvae in a more confined space (or sleeved on growing foodplant) until they are large enough to be caged. Baby caterpillars placed in a cage will immediately wander from their food and starve.
Flat-pack Cage Three sizes of wooden frame cages with netting panels, sent flat-packed and easily assembled.
Cube cage - folding 30 cm Clever design with packs flat and stands without supports.
Very Large Spring-Frame cage, a real giant, that packs down to a tiny flat circle.
Clear sided Cylinder Cage Ideal for Stick Insects, Mantids and larvae such as ATLAS that need warm, moist conditions.
Sleeves Can be used indoors, on potted plants, or cut foodplant or outside on growing plants and trees. They protect the larvae and prevent escape. A very economical and labour-saving rearing method, that often gives fresher and more natural conditions for larvae.
Pyjama Cage A new concept - excellent all-round vision - packs flat - and when the cover gets dirty or damaged, slip it off and pop it in the wash to have an almost new cage again.
This cage design suits all uses - breeding butterflies and moths, rearing larvae, emerging pupae, keeping Stick Insects and other creatures.
This type of cage is very suitable for laying out pupae to emerge. It is also more suitable for smaller numbers of larvae or younger larvae. Baby larvae should be first reared in plastic rearing containers or kept covered on growing food. According to size you can use these cages for pots of plant, net covered when you want to avoid straying, or cut foodplant in water. The larger cages have enormous capacity.
A pre-formed frame is supported by corner uprights which join the frame to the cage base. No messing with components to make the top frame. The supports come ready fitted with fixing nuts and washers. Quickly assembled. A zip gives easy cage access. Escape is less likely than with conventional cage doors.
Pactical design enabling the breeder to wash, repair or replace the netting cover in minutes. Removing eggs laid in awkward places is so easy when you can slip the cover off and replace it with a fresh one - just like changing pyjamas! Keep spare covers so you can have one on and one in the wash! For winter storage, or for travel, the cage quickly packs flat. Thorough cleaning and disinfecting is so much easier than with a fixed frame cage.
Pyjama cages show a substantial price saving too.
Pyjama Mini Cage 20 x 24 x 25cm high
Ideal as a beginner's cage, but also for the busy breeder who wants separate small cages. Excellent as an emerging cage for chrysalides and cocoons, ideal for keeping small numbers of larvae or other insects, when large enough for cage rearing.
This cage is suitable for laying out small numbers of pupae to emerge. Also for rearing smaller numbers of larvae or smaller larvae. Baby larvae should be first reared in plastic rearing containers or kept covered on growing food. Please see the note on the page for plastic rearing containers. This cage will hold small covered pots of plant, and larger sizes of cage are available for larger subjects.
When necessary the netting cover can be slipped off for cleaning or replacement. The Pyjama Mini cage is assembled in minutes and easily packed flat for winter storage. As the interest grows there are larger sizes available. For the experienced breeder the Mini Cage has many uses where a series of smaller cages is needed for separating species and giving different treatment.
Pyjama Cage Standard 40 x 30 cm height 50
Probably the most useful size as a general purpose cage. Suitable for breeding butterflies and moths, laying out pupae to emerge, keeping larvae that are large enough to cage, also for Stuck insects and other creatures. Occupies little space. Can be stacked if required. This size lower in price and larger than the Flat-pack Wooden Framed Cage range, and much less costly to send.The equivalent wooden frame cage costs about 50% more.
Pyjama Cage Large Low 50 x 38cm height 40
This larger cage will take pots of foodplant for breeding and rearing, This size is ideal as an emerging cage for larger numbers of cocoons and pupae. A cage for the serious breeder. This size lower in price and larger than the Flat-pack Wooden Framed Cage range, and less costly to send.
Pyjama Cage Large High 50 x 38 cm height 60
The extra height of this cage accommodates taller foodplant, and bigger numbers of large larvae. Use this size for breeding large silkmoths. Give your stick insects the space they need.
Pyjama Cage Giant Low 60 x 60 cm height 60
The Giant size gives greater scope for breeders who want to create a better environment for their breeding, more space for laying adults, and flight space for butterflies that require it. Although capatious, the Giant cages quickly pack flat when not needed out of season. Pop the netting cover in the washing machine to have it like new for use next time. We will notify you if there is any surcharge for delivery outside Britain.
Pyjama Cage Giant High 60 x 60 cm height 80
The extra height and volume of this giant cage gives you serious breeding space, and height for taller foodplants. The smiley zip gives excellent access and helps prevent escape of flying adults which tend to fly above the hanging zipped closure. To change foodplant, simply flip the flap upwards over the top of the cage to give excellent access to the cage contents. We will notify you if there is any surcharge for delivery outside Britain.
High quality wooden-framed cage, covered with strong black netting.
Packed flat for easy postage and quick assembly. We will notify you if there is any surcharge for delivery outside Britain.
The Standard Cage is exactly as used for our own breeding. Perfect for larvae and stick insects, hatching butterflies and moths, breeding and egg-laying. The Extra Deep Cage is for use with large moths, caterpillars or greater numbers: the extra size makes all the difference. The taller dimension on the Tall Cage is good for larger species of Stick Insect and for taller plants. Compare prices with the Pyjama Cage range which not only save on cost and carriage but they allow instant change of netting when it gets soiled or damaged.
Standard Cage 16 x 9 x 17" 40 x 23 x 43 cm £36.00
Extra Deep Cage 16 x 14 x 17" 40 x 36 x 43 cm £40.25
Tall Cage 24" high x 18 x 12" 60 x 45 x 30 cm £40.25
Small Tall Cage 20" high x 12" x 12" 50 x 30 x 30 cm £35.00
Click on View to see all sizes illustrated.
Very Large Spring-frame Breeding Cage
This cage provides substantial flight area for butterflies or for pairing giant silkmoths. The cage frame is spring steel enables the breeder to erect or dismantle the cage in a simple twist operation taking just seconds. Erected the length is 110cm by 55 x 55. Folded, the cage reduces to a flat circle only 35cm diameter!
The cage can be stood on end to hold tall pot plants or take a tall branch of foodplant stood in water
The base is made of waterproof vinyl. Access is via the front oval double zipped panel. A revolutionary design and a lot of space for your money!
Mini Cylinder Cage
Useful for species which require humidity. Ideal for mantids, stick insects and for special larvae in smaller quantities. Excellent visibility. 13cm diameter, 25cm high.
Two Mini Cylinder Cages £12.00
Folding Cube Cage 30 cm
A very simple cage for hatching out pupae, keeping caterpillars and stick insects. This is a new design arriving from the far east in June. The picture is a representation as we don't have a picture yet.
All sides of the cage are covered with netting. The frame is spring steel and the whole structure folds completely flat. Very lightweight.
Ideal for beginners. It is cheap. We don't yet know how durable, but ideal for children and as an introduction to breeding insects.
SLEEVE for Rearing Larvae
Sleeves are a great aid for rearing Lepidoptera.
On growing foodplant they enable a constant source of fresh food, and for periods away on holiday larvae can be left unattended for days.
The sleeve can be on a bush or tree outside, or it can be slipped over a potted plant. As well as providing fresh food, the larvae are prevented from wandering, and they are protected from predators and parasites.
Sleeves can be a useful substitute for cages, and much less costly. You can often rear larvae on cut food contained in a sleeve, as long as the foodplant is changed before it loses its freshness.
The sleeve is slipped over a branch or plant and both ends are secured to prevent escape.
Our sleeves are hand sewn using black material which gives excellent visibility.
The mesh is fine. The netting is strong and durable – suitable for use throughout a winter for hibernating larvae.
Click the View button to see tips on using sleeves and diagram of sizes.
NOTE NEW LOWER PRICES FOR SLEEVES
Sizes are approximate
Size 1 17 x 60 cm Very Small. Fine netting £3.50
For very small larvae or for just a few.
Size 2 17 x 100 cm Long and Slender. Fine netting £5.50
Long and slender. Ideal for long stems of
Size 3 50 x 100 cm Medium Size Fine netting £6.95
A medium sleeve for average numbers and small to medium sized larvae.
Size 4 70 x 130 cm Large Size Fine netting £12.50
A sizeable sleeve for average use with larger larvae or larger numbers.
Size 5 100 x 160 cm Giant Size Fine netting £14.95
This sleeve will cover a large branch or tree and is suitable for greater than average use.