Worldwide Butterflies has been supplying butterflies and moths for over half a century. There is a range of species available as livestock. Schools can see Recommended School Species. 

Butterflies and moths are supplied for historic, scientific and identification collections, medical research, for photography and conservation, and even just for their incredible beauty and natural history interest.

Read about the History of Worldwide Butterflies HERE.

To send a GIFT CERTIFICATE Click here 

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Welcome to the WWB Website

ENQUIRING ABOUT AN ORDER? 

Before you email, please check the Availability showing for the species.

Check your Order History 

for a note on your account.

Click on View Item.

This should answer your query.

If you do enquire, please quote the 

ORDER NUMBER and SPECIES

 

If you wish to edit your order, click on Shopping Cart where you can change the quantities or remove an item. It is essential to click the blue circular arrow ikon after making a change on an item, which updates the calculations.

Then proceed to Checkout.

If your order is not going through at checkout, you are then with PayPal, not on the WWB website, it sometimes helps to try an alternative valid card, otherwise, you can select to pay by PayPal instead of a card.

When paying, you are on the payment handler's site, not WWB. if you see a message Authentication required it means that your card is not being accepted. You can try another card. 

Login to My Account  to follow availability of booked items. You can see your order history, Store Credits and check on dispatch. Booked species may have an update note. If none please check the species text on the website to see the current availability.

 

Have you received the latest WWB NEWS? To receive WWB NEWS by email in future, please go to your Account and click NEWS Subscribe. It's free. You will be notified about current and coming species, special offers and more.  

Click here to see an example of the WWB NEWS.

Most items on the website pages have multiple pictures which show when you click the main picure. If you hover the cursor over a picture, arrows appear left or right so you can scroll through the pictures enlarged. You can click any picture to see it enlarged.

 

LIVING BUTTERFLIES and MOTHS. For film shoots, weddings and other events we are sometimes asked for butterflies to release. Foreign species cannot be used for this and we don't supply living adults. You can buy pupae but not to a specific date, so you need to organise the synchronisation of emergence for the particular requirement.

 

Send a GIFT CERTIFICATE

To make sure that the recipient gets the greatest benefit, let them choose from the whole WWB website the things they MOST want.

This is a wonderful way to mark an event, birthday, anniversary or show appreciation to friends or family, or to encourage a budding interest, even to start a new one.

Click here to select one of the pictures to accompany your Gift.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Availability: The availability of each species is shown. Orders are booked, and the availability can change. Anything that is immediately available is shown as NOW. If a month or period is shown, and we are at that time, unless the availability is NOW, we must wait until the species is ready to be sent out. As soon as it is, the availability changes to NOW, and dispatch commences.

Orders sent internationally are at the risk of the purchaser: When placing an order to be sent internationally, you agree to accept non-arrival, delay or hatching or death of livestock - all risks. We do everything possible to get your order to you safely, by post. Dormant livestock can normally be sent by post, but in hot seasons all livestock is at risk. For European destinations orders can be sent by courier, and arrive in only a few days after dispatch. If this is not shown as the means of sending and you wish to order Express courier, please select Express European courier (XXP) from the main menu. Click on XXP and add this to your order. We cannot send by courier to USA, AUS,NZ, S. Africa and most other countries outside Europe. Even though Express courier costs considerably more: it does not guarantee safe arrival, but usually ensures prompt delivery in fresh condition and perfect health. 

Time in the Post: Ordered items may come from several different sources, breeders, publishers, manufacturers in different places, even from another country. Most orders are sent by post and arrive with your letters. There is no tracking. Please remember that each species has its season, and allow for this, also for the possibility of your order being posted internationally, which can take  a week or two to arrive. Orders for European destinations may be sent by Express courier, once the species is available, if it is obligatory because the species develops quickly, or because it is specifically requested. Generally Express courier takes 1-3 days and is the best way to send livestock that requires special handling, however this is not guaranteed and both mail and courier service is sometimes extended, outside anybody's control, due to Covid 19.

 

Orders can be seen on your account Order History. Enquiries about how long delivery will take will not be replied to because the delivery time in the post is inconsistent, and not in anyone's control. Most orders are arriving in good time and good condition.

PLEASE BE PATIENT!  Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEGINNER? If you have not reared butterflies and moths before, please take note of the foodplants your larvae will need. To know how to keep caterpillars, hatch out pupae and care for your livestock we recommend the handbook The All Colour Paperback BUTTERFLIES which is on the Schools Page and in the Book Section. It is packed with information and will help you a great deal.

 

LIVESTOCK

If you are a beginner and need information on rearing from small caterpillars, or hatching out pupae, please order the book shown above. INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT SENT WITH EACH SPECIES, you need to acquire basic skills and this book is a simple way to learn them.

 

Newly hatched or small larvae are too small to be put into a cage or aquarium. If you can put them on growing foodplant, protected with a sleeve, that is ideal. Alternatively keep in a plastic box, lined with absorbent paper, in close confinement with fresh foodplant, and changed daily. Fuller hints on the page for Plastic Rearing Containers. For illustrated instructios see the All Colour Paperback BUTTERFLIES.

LIVESTOCK ON THE WWB WEBSITE  is very wide-ranging. Please scroll down the different sections. There are some very interesting species for the connoisseur and for the beginner.

AWAY DATES

ON YOUR ACCOUNT please enter dates when you cannot receive livestock. Letting us know by any other means will not apply the dates to the system and will not prevent dispatch of orders when you cannot receive them.

 

NEWS and UPDATES

Just go to My Account and click to receive these.

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

Breeding stock of 5 or 10 pupae: If the species breeds easily, or you are  experienced and if both sexes emerge at about the same time, 5 pupae may well be enough to give you a pairing and fertile eggs.

With TEN pupae, the chances of breeding success are considerably improved.

Classic species. The WWB website has a very wide range of species from all over the world, including Deathshead Hawkmoth, Swallowtails, wonderful Exotic Butterfly Pupae, tropical giants such as the Atlas Moths and a variety of amazing Moon Moths. The anticipated season for availability is shown for each one.

 

PLEASE SEE FEATURED SPECIES AND CURRENT LIVESTOCK

SEE FEATURED SPECIES There are some very unusual species and offers.

THERE ARE STAR CLASSIC and RARE SPECIES that are particularly rare and desirable. These include the Purple Emperors and Swallowtails.

SEE MARKET STALL Section for a list of SPECIAL OFFERS whilst stocks last!

 

Announcing the new Goodden GemLight SUPER!

The Goodden GEMLIGHT SUPER is a leap forward in technology, greatly advanced on its predecessor the Goodden GemLight. The new light is more powerful, and has three different emitters, Blue, Green and Ultraviolet, all the most attractive to insects. The combination is a greater attractant than UV alone. No batteries to charge and replace: simply plug into a powerbank.

The GemLight Super enables serious moth trapping in remote areas without weighty batteries, cables, a generator or mains supply.

Click HERE to see more.

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CURRENT LIVESTOCK to see all that is available, and keep checking back.

Please visit the WWB website regularly, to see all the other species new to our lists, as they appear

CURRENT PUPAE include a number of rarer Hawkmoth species of interest to the Sphingid connoisseur.

SEEDS of two rare foodplants are available right now. Milk Parsley Peucedanum palustre is the preferred foodplant of the Swallowtail Butterfly Papilio machaon. Sow the seed immediately and it germinates with vigour. The seed does not store for long. Also available now is seed of Great Water Dock Rumex hydropathalum, the preferred foodplant of the Large Copper Butterfly Lycaena dispar.

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For GIFT SUGGESTIONS please click on that section in the menu top left of the Home Page, or click here.

For some years two favourite Silkmoths that were once always available, have become very scarce in captivity. The Indian Moon Moth Actias selene has almost completely disappeared in captive breeding, but eggs will again be available in the coming season. The Chinese Oak Silkmoth Antheraea pernyi has become week and inbred in captivity, but now we have wild silk cocoons direct from China. Cocoons are available immediately, and eggs can be booked for supply from May onwards. 

SEE CURRENT LIVESTOCK for other eggs and larvae that are available NOW. 

Worldwide Butterflies NEWS keeps you informed of current livestock changes and availability, and often includes special offers and promotions. 

PUPAE NEST: At this time, with the new season ahead, it is a good opportunity to set up a practical emerging cage. WWB has devised the PUPAE NEST, which is the most successful way of keeping pupae moist, safe and able to be examined whenever required. The Pupae Nest is suitable for all pupae, but is particularly ideal for pupae that live on or under the ground. Pupae are arranged in depressions in specially formed foam sheets, which keeps the pupae separate, moist, and in hygienic conditions. Please see the Pupae Nest in the section for Plastic Rearing Containers.

For the Field Naturalist there is the new Spring Frame Pocket Net. Please see this in the Equipment section of this website. The design is practical, construction rugged, and the net fits nicely in the pocket, but can be deployed in seconds when required. This keeps both hands free for examination and photography, when the net is not in current use. 

Osier Willow S. viminalis. Years ago we planted a stick that was floating down a river in Wiltshire. That was in 1954! It grew - rapidly - producing a wealth of leaves. We tried it as a foodplant and discovered that not only did British species do well on it, but exotic silkmoth larvae as well.  An amazing foodplant that grows prodigeously, looks most attractive grown formally in a garden, or in a wild setting.

Moonlander Moth Trap and Goodden GemLight. No other trap is so compact and lightweight for travel. The only ultra compact trap and light for travel and sampling insects in remote habitats. 

Rearing Cages There are cages for travel, small ones for starters, Giant for larger breeding programmes and the range of Pyjama Cages in three sizes. Pyjama Cages are practical in use and  one of the most important features is that, a used cage can be renovated to almost new state in only a few minutes. No need to replace netting that is worn or dirty, simply by removing the entire netting cover and replacing with a new or freshly washed one. 

Sleeves. Sleeving is the most natural method for rearing larvae, proving constantly fresh food, with protection from parasites and predators, and preventing escape. The WWB sleeves uniquely have zip access which is a great convenience and time-saver. Five sizes from small to giant.

This RECOMMENDED section is constantly evolving. Please keep visiting the WWB website to see more, and all the other changes and additions.

 

 

 

 

Worldwide Butterflies - over 50 years of supplying butterflies, moths, livestock, and entomological equipment

Featured
Large Copper dispar batavus 10 larvae
There is a danger of this species being no longer available. Few captive colonies exist. Can you help nurture a colony?
Availability: Spring
£25.95
Tiger Swallowtail glaucus pupae
In stock again in good numbers. Breeds well, larvae thrive on Ash and other foodplants.
Availability: NOW
Garden Tiger caja Woolly Bears. 10 Larvae
Everybody's favourite Woolly Bear larvae, out of hibernation and growing fast! Offered in 10's and 50's
Availability: NOW
£12.95
Clifden Nonpareil (Blue Underwing) Catocala fraxini SPECIAL PRICE! 30 Eggs for the price of 15
Amazing breeding success has produced so many eggs that there are now huge reductions in price for 30 or even 100!
Availability: NOW
£14.95
Chinese Oak Silkmoth Antheraea pernyi Large cocoons fresh from CHINA
Fresh and large cocoons are in transit to us from China. They have become very difficult to obtain.
Availability: From April
Canadian Eyed Hawk Smerinthus cerisyi 15 eggs or 10 larvae according to availability
Early pairings are producing eggs right now.
Availability: NOW
£12.95
EARLY Peacock Butterfly Inachis io 10 larvae
Larvae from May. Prepare potted nettle in advance. Fast growing. Fabulous butterflies!
Availability: Spring 2024
£21.95
EARLY Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae 10 larvae SPECIAL PRICE
Early larvae in April. Prepare potted nettle in advance.
Availability: From April
£22.95
Small Eggar Moth Eriogaster lanestris An egg batch 200 -  300 eggs
Furry strings of 200 -300 eggs laid on twigs. An opportunity to introduce this species into wild hedgerows and combat their loss through modern hedge manicure!
Availability: NOW
£29.95
FREEDOM CAGE Multipurpose cage for larger breeding projects
A completely new range of cages, including a GIANT that makes a portable flight cage.
Availability: NOW
Painted Lady cardui  5 larvae in Pot on Diet
Ideal as a starter for young people. No foodplant to change. Observe development from caterpillar to butterfly without having to clean or feed!
Availability: New Orders April 2024
Glanville Fritillary cinxia 10 larvae
Post hibernation larvae ready now. Feed on Narrow Leaved Plantain.
Availability: NOW
£12.95
Marsh Fritillary aurinia larvae  20 larvae SPECIAL PRICE
Post hibernation larvae ready now and growing fast!
Availability: NOW
£25.90 £17.50
Small Eggar Moth Eriogaster lanestris TEN cocoons SPECIAL PRICE!
Ten pupae at a special price. They will emerge and breed soon!
Availability: NOW
£12.95
Brahmaea tancrei  Asian Owl Moth 10 larvae
Breeding starts in early spring. A popular species, worth ordering early.
Availability: Spring 2024
£17.95
Cinnabar Moth Hipocrita jacobaeae 50 pupae SPECIAL OFFER!
This species is much less common than it was. We can help boost populations by releasing where Ragwort grows.
Availability: NOW
£92.50 £62.95
Oleander Hawk nerii 15 eggs or 10 larvae, according to availability
Breeding has started. Eggs first half of March.
Availability: Early 2024
£16.95
Deathshead Hawk Atropos 15 Eggs or 10 larvae according to availability
Breeding for the new season has started! Eggs are being sent out now.
Availability: Spring
£19.95
Giant Atlas Moth Attacus atlas dormant WINTER cocoons from Thailand
Dormant atlas cocoons have been difficult to obtain but they are available again right now. Keep cold until incubation in spring.
Availability: NOW
Setting Strips - GLASSINE PAPER on a roll
Unavailable for years - now available again. New larger reels.
Availability: NOW
CEBALLOSI subspecies of Graellsia isabellae eggs
A subspecies first described in recent years. Extremely hard to obtain!!
Availability: May/June
Spanish Moon Moth G isabellae eggs
Considered as perhaps the most beautiful and impressive of European moths. The larvae feed on pine and can be sleeved, with protection against heavy rain.
Availability: May/June
Festoon Zerynthia polyxena pupae
A charming smaller member of the Swallowtail family. Larvae like miniature Birdwing caterpillars.
Availability: NOW
European Swallowtail machaon gorganus  pupae
Swallowtail pupae are becoming hard to obtain. We have a stock available at the moment.
Availability: NOW
Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell xanthomelas 10 larvae
Not available most years. They will be available this year from May.
Availability: Spring
£29.95
Large Tortoiseshell polychloros 10 Larvae
Very rare and now may be establishing in Britain. A chance to assist its recovery.
Availability: May onwards
£24.95
Small Purple Emperor Apatura ilia 5 larvae
Larvae in hibernation. Ready immediately.
Availability: NOW
£29.95
Privet Hawk S ligustri Pupae SPECIAL OFFER!
Share in our bounteous harvest and buy these huge Hawkmoth pupae at SPECIAL PRICES!
Availability: NOW
Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus 5 pupae
Very seldom available. Dormant pupae to hatch in spring.
Availability: NOW
£17.95
Euritides marcellus Swordtail 5 pupae
First time available for decades! Flies and breeds well in a hot house. Very variable larvae.
Availability: NOW
£69.95
The Giant Swallowtail Papilio cresphontes pupae
Very large Swallowtail that flies well in a conservatory. Dormant pupae.
Availability: NOW
Saturnia (Caligula) thibeta 10 eggs
First time offered! A large Saturniid with woolly larvae, seldom available. Overwintering egg.
Availability: NOW
£19.95
Saturnia jonasii, Far East Russia 10 eggs
Winter eggs to hatch in spring. Very attractive larvae with several colour changes.
Availability: NOW
£17.95
Ligurian Emperor Saturnia pavoniella Cocoons
Large cocoons from wild stock. Larvae have amazing colour forms.
Availability: Autumn
Small Eggar Moth Eriogaster lanestris cocoons
Extraordinary nut-like cocoons. The moth emerges inside and waits for the right moment in spring to emerge.
Availability: NOW
Elephant Hawk elpenor pupae
Winter pupae. Store cool until incubation in June. Extraordinary and characterful larvae.
Availability: NOW
Willowherb Hawkmoth Proserpinus proserpina Pupae
Dormant pupae of this very attractive and scarce Hawkmoth. Incubate in May.
Availability: Autumn
Cinnabar Moth Hipocrita jacobaeae pupae
Store pupae refrigerated to emerge in June. Very pretty both as moths and larvae.
Availability: NOW
Tau Emperor Aglia tau Pupae
Dormant pupae to emerge early in spring. Fabulous horned larvae!
Availability: Autumn
Goodden GEMLIGHT SUPER
Completely new design. Superbly miniaturised. Three different LEDs. Runs all night on a tiny power bank. Amazing!
Availability: NOW
Moonlander Moth Trap with Supports and Goodden GemLight SUPER
Now available with the ground-breaking newly designed Gemlight SUPER!
Availability: NOW
Morpho helenor. South America pupae
In a tropical enclosure or conservatory these are just magnificent in flight. An experience never forgotten!
Availability: NOW
Citrus Swallowtail POT LUCK collection of 15 eggs or 10 larvae, according to availability
Eggs are now being laid and orders are being sent out.
Availability: NOW
£12.95
Robinson Mercury Vapour Mains Electric Trap - complete electrics with 50m cable and choke
The most powerful moth trap. Undoubtedly the best mains supply trap.
Availability: Not always in stock
£359.00
Owl Butterfly Caligo species 10 larvae
Eggs and larvae available immediately. Extraordinary larvae, producing amazing pupae like wrapped leaves.
Availability: NOW
£12.95
Size 5A  Plastic Box Shallow version of Size 5 174 x 115 x 41mm. Carton of 3.
New size of Plastic Rearing Container, shallower version of the ever popular Size 5.
Availability: NOW
£19.95
Great Water Dock Rumex hydropathalum Seeds. Foodplant of the Large Copper Butterfly
Foodplant of the Large Copper in its natural habitat. Easily grown at water's edge or in pots standing in water.
Availability: NOW
£4.95
Milk Parsley Peucedanum palustre  Packet of seed
Seldom available. Milk Parsley seed, foodplant of the Swallowtail Papilio machaon. Germinates rapidly and easy to grow.
Availability: NOW
£6.95
Vapourer Moth antiqua eggs.
Exceptionally attractive larvae. Extraordinary fat wingless females, and males that can find them from miles away!
Availability: NOW
WORLD SWALLOWTAIL PUPA COLLECTION 10 pupae
After months of having no exotic butterfly pupae, this collection of World Swallowtails is now available again.
Availability: NOW
£38.50
WORLD COLLECTION OF EXOTIC BUTTERFLIES Ten pupae
For the first time this year, due to Covid, exotic butterfly pupae have been impossible to obtain but we can now supply this collection again.
Availability: NOW
SLEEVE PACK One each of Sizes 1, 3 and 4 with Velcro
The three most useful sizes, with reel of Velcro for securing the sleeve to the branch. Useful aid, giving the best chance of rearing success.
Availability: NOW
£35.50
PUPAE NEST
This WWB method of keeping underground pupae enables humidifying, inspection and good hygiene.
Availability: NOW
Spring Frame Pocket Net - NEW SUPERIOR DESIGN
The best made and designed pocket net, compact and convenient for travel and field work. Introductory price!
Availability: NOW
£45.50
SILK-COCOON COLLECTION
Empty cocoon collections. Hugely varied, all identified. From a UNIQUE collection of the world's Silkmoth cocoons.
Availability: NOW
OSIER A wonderful foodplant. Ten cuttings
One of the most universal of all foodplants. Fast-growing in the garden or potted. Read the full description.
Availability: NOW
£12.95
CHART Caterpillars of British Moths 1 and 2, Gordon Riley & David Carter
Two charts showing a massive variety of interesting moth caterpillars. A practical identification reference.
Availability: NOW
£11.95
Pyjama Mini Cage 22 x 29 x 25cm high
The MINI PJ cage has now grown about a third and is better proportioned. Price held.
Availability: NOW
£22.95
Pyjama Cage LARGE 60 x 40 cm changeable height
Revolutionary design. Lots of space. Easy to maintain. Choose between low or high and change at will. Temporary SPECIAL PRICE!
Availability: NOW
£79.95
New Design LARVAE FORCEPS
New to the WWB website. High quality forceps for use in larvae rearing - at a very low price
Availability: NOW
£1.99
NETTING Fine black/grey Nylon 10 metres SALE PRICE
Worldwide Butterflies netting price is very low. Now there is a SPECIAL PROMOTION PRICE on 10 metres!
Availability: NOW
£39.95 £32.95
Complete MINI SILK FARM
Outfit to rear silkworms from egg to cocoon, complete with diet, and equipment to reel the silk - some 3 miles from each cocoon!
Availability: NOW
£59.50

IMPORTANT NOTES

 Livestock orders not able to be supplied are carried over for priority supply the next season. Please inform us if you wish to cancel and be credited or refunded.

Livestock sent to UK addresses will be replaced or credited if it arrives dead and is reported within 2 days. Not if it dies subsequently or is reported later. 

COVID NOTE: Time in the post is outside our control during the Covid pandemic. We cannot guarantee replacement or refund in the event of loss through postal treatment or delay.

Orders are sent internationally only at the buyer's risk.

Please note that all prices are subject to carriage charges and 20% VAT (except books and orders from non-EU countries), which will be added to your order at the checkout.

Livestock sent outside the UK, whilst we do our best to see that it arrives safely, is sent at the BUYER'S RISK. Livestock to Mediterranean countries is often subject to delay and hot climate. Please do not order eggs/larvae, nor pupae that are not dormant, to be sent where it is hot.  Livestock sent to USA need USDA permits. We cannot send to AUS or NZ, unless government authorised.

 

WWB email: sales@wwb.co.uk