Click the View button to see tips on using sleeves and diagram of sizes.


 

Sizes are approximate

Size 1  17 x  60 cm    Very Small.  £3.50

For very small larvae or for just a few.

Size 2  17 x  100 cm    Long and Slender £4.50

Long and slender. Ideal for long stems of Willow, Hazel, Beech, Lime or similar long, less bushy stems. 

Size 3  50 x 100 cm   Medium  £5.95

A medium sleeve for average numbers and small to medium sized larvae.

Size 4  70 x 130 cm   Large  £7.95  

A sizeable sleeve for average use with larger larvae or larger numbers.

Size 5 100 x 160 cm    Giant  £11.95  

This sleeve will cover a large branch or tree and is suitable for greater than average use.

SOME TIPS ON USING SLEEVES

Velcro. A modern and convenient alternative to string for tying the ends of sleeves is double-sided Velcro which is quick to use, very tight, and re-usable.

Double Sleeving In high summer, when wasps and other predators are busy, a double sleeve will often prevent damage to larvae inside.

Parasites These sleeves are very fine and probably exclude even the smallest parasites. It should be remembered though, that larvae of Papilionidae and Nymphalidae are very vulnerable at the point of pupation, when the pupa is still soft.  At this time tiny Braconid wasps are attracted and it is advisable to bring in large larvae of such families, rather then expose them to risk out of doors, even in double sleeves. They may well find their way in through unexpected places.

Plastic sheet protection Larvae of Nymphalidae such as antiopa and polychloros do not like constant cold rain and it is a good idea to give them protection of a plastic sheet pinned over the top of the sleeve, but not wrapped all round it, so there is still a flow of air.

Move before leaves become stale or discoloured.  Slow-growing larvae may live in a sleeve for such a long time before it needs changing, that the food can become stale or discoloured before it is consumed. It is necessary to change to a new branch before this happens.

Young larvae can become too numerous for that size of sleeve. When larvae are tiny and numerous a chosen sleeve size may become inadequate as the larvae grow. Remember to remove some to another sleeve before a crisis situation occurs.


Don't let the foodplant run out During the early instars, small larvae eat relatively little. For some time it looks as if the sleeve will never need changing. Suddenly, the larvae are larger and what looked like a sleeve with plenty of food, now becomes an active colony of very hungry caterpillars, unable to get out and likely to starve!
 

Never allow more than half the food to be finished Once there is only half of the original foliage, it is necessary to change the sleeve. Do not wait for most of the leaf to be consumed.

Sleeve changing It is beneficial to move a sleeve by letting the larvae move themselves. This can be done by adding foodplant from another branch close to the sleeve. Another way is to introduce a new branch from the free end of the sleeve, let the larvae transfer themselves, and then remove the old branch. If you have to move the larvae by hand, those species that cling firmly should not be pulled off their twig, but cut the twig with the larva still attached.