Recommended Supplies for Collecting & Rearing

With the closure of BioQuip on March 11, 2022, many people, including myself, have been wondering where we will source all of our collecting and rearing supplies. BioQuip has been a staple of American Lepidopterists since 1947 and produced many supplies themselves, such as display cases, cabinets and drawers. The sources listed below are what I've found through internet searches and the suggestions of others. I have purchased samples from several of them now and include my comments accordingly. I continue to update this list as I receive any feedback or suggestions, or to update my own experiences. Feel free to email me (contact on left) if you have bad experiences with any of the sources listed here or if you have other suggestions not included here.
[update 2024-03-18] Ecology Supplies started up after BioQuip closed and has been slowly building up their stock of supplies. I still haven't ordered from them yet, but it's been nearly two years and they're still adding more items to their site, so they seem to be doing well. Visit them here: EcologySupplies.com Be sure to get on their monthly email newsletter to keep up to date on their offerings and what will be coming soon.

Repair Adhesive

This is essentially clear nail polish, just make sure to buy one that is completely clear and not tinted. I've also heard of people using a bit of water to thin out Elmer's glue, however that does not dry as quickly and may dry opaque if very much is used. Use a pin to apply tiny dots of glue to repair torn wings or reattach antennae and wings. I use a glass-headed pin, but a size 3 or 5 insect pin would work too.

Envelopes and Forceps

These can be purchased from nearly any stamp collecting company. The universal sizes of glassine envelopes are equivalent to BioQuip's catalog numbers as follows:

  • Glassine Size 1 (1 3/4" x 2 7/8") = BioQuip 1131A = Ecology Supplies Size A
  • Glassine Size 2 (2 5/16" x 3 5/8") = BioQuip 1131B = Ecology Supplies Size B
  • Glassine Size [n/a] (3 1/2" x 3 1/2") = BioQuip 1131C = Ecology Supplies Size C
  • Glassine Size 4-1/2 (3 1/8" x 5 1/16") = BioQuip 1131D = Ecology Supplies Size D

Amos Advantage

  • This company is my top choice for envelopes so far. They are just a bit smoother/clearer than the envelopes I purchased from iHobb and eBay and appear to be identical to BioQuip envelopes. 
  • Envelopes are found here. Size 1 (1.75" x 2.875") is priced $5.52 per pack of 100, or $5.06 per pack for 10 or more (1000+ envelopes).
  • Note: when I ordered 2000 envelopes, they came in two boxes labeled "JBM Glassine". JBM Packaging is a company that produces a variety of packaging products, including a line of glassine envelopes. They appear to be a wholesaler, and would be worth looking into if you are interested in stocking envelopes to sell.
  • They also carry forceps, aka "stamp tongs" ranging from $5.75-$11.95, including spade tip (standard BioQuip style), spoon tip (smooth and flat but rounded instead of spade-shaped), and pointed. Some styles are on backorder currently so I haven't tried them out yet.

iHobb

  • Envelopes are found here. Size 1 priced $5.55 per 100, or $4.99/100 if ordering 1000 ($49.95). I purchased a pack of 100, they are comparable to BioQuip and Amos Advantage, but the quality seemed very slightly less than Amos.
  • They sell a limited variety of stamp tongs for $12.99, all currently on backorder as well.

Ecology Supplies

  • Envelopes are found here, or paper triangles here. I have not purchased either option yet. The envelopes look identical to what BioQuip offered, possibly also sourced from JBM Packaging mentioned above. However, they don't offer a discount when purchasing 10+ packs, and they are more expensive than Amos ($7.55 per 100 of Size A). Perhaps the prices will adjust as they continue to build up the company.
  • Featherweight forceps are available for $6.50. These are handy for handling larvae or other delicate insects. I haven't found any other replacements for this style of forceps so it is good to see they've been added to the catalog!
  • Swiss forceps in four sizes are also available now.
  • Still no spade-tipped style forceps for handling lepidoptera, but hopefully that is coming soon.

eBay has several options for envelopes and forceps, but most seem to be from China-based dropshipping companies (same as what litters Amazon lately), which are often not very reliable. I did purchase one 100 pack of envelopes as a sample and it was identical to the iHobb envelopes. I also purchased a couple forceps, they're tolerable but a little stiff and not quite as perfectly smooth as what BioQuip sold.

WARNING! I also sampled different sizes of envelopes from Coin Supply Express but the envelopes were NOT the same style shown in the images on their website and were of lower quality, thinner, and very opaque glassine paper. The images look similar to the envelopes offered on iHobb and eBay, but the flap is not pre-folded, the glued seams of the small size are on either side, not the bottom and one side like the image shows, and many are slightly wrinkled because they're so flimsy. I was not impressed. I thought they might work for backup and attempted to use a few, but they were so flimsy and frustrating that I wound up chucking them in the trash.

A search for glassine paper will bring up a number of food supply and craft companies where you can find a variety of sizes, usually fairly large, so would need to be cut down to size for paper triangles (an alternative to envelopes preferred by some collectors).

Pins

There are four primary types of pins used for preparing and mounting insects:

  • Insect pins - these are longer than most sewing pins and have a rounded nylon head. The shank comes in either stainless steel or black enamel-coated steel. There are 10 sizes: 000 (smallest) to 7 (largest). The best quality pins are manufactured in the Czech Republic or Austria. Avoid any pins made elsewhere or those sold on Amazon and eBay with no origin listed; they tend to be more rust-prone and the heads often pop off.
  • Minutens - these are the super-thin, half-inch long pins used in double mounting: a micromoth or other small, delicate insect is pinned with the minuten, which is then placed into a small rectangle of foam that is attached to a normal insect pin. They are produced by the same companies making insect pins.
  • Glass-headed pins - these are sometimes used for holding down strips of glassine paper on spreading boards during the mounting and drying process. These can be found at any fabric/sewing shop or Amazon. I purchased a few packages of them from Joann's Fabric & Crafts. If ordering online, make sure you pay attention to the size: BioQuip sold 1-3/8" pins, such as Dritz 61 glass head pins, extra fine. "Quilting pins" are typically a bit longer and can get in the way during spreading, and generic sewing pins are only around 1 inch. I prefer the 1-3/8" size.
  • Label pins - are short (10mm or 3/8 inch) steel pins used to secure general labels (eg. species name labels) to the foam bottom of unit trays or drawers. They are produced under the Entochrysis and EntoSphinx brands (links below). Alternatively, the same style of pins are also known as "sequin pins" or "lills pins" and can be purchased from craft supply stores, although those are usually only sold as 1/2" (13mm) length, which would stick up a bit more from the 3/8" foam used in unit trays and drawers.

EntoSphinx is a company in the Czech Republic which has a variety of insect pins (black and stainless steel, sizes 000 to 7), minuten pins, label pins (10mm), paper strips for spreading and drying Lepidoptera ("pergamine setting strip"), spreading boards and many other items. They have a PayPal purchase option. I ordered from them, the process was relatively simple, most of the site is in English until you get to the shipping options, make sure you translate those so you pick the actual "shipping" option and not "local pick up"! I put in my order and selected the PayPal payment option. After the initial confirmation email, I didn't hear anything for over 2 weeks, then I got an email that my order was ready to ship, and a separate email with the PayPal invoice marked due within 1 month. The order shipped within two days and I paid the invoice through PayPal (super easy). Interestingly, the order shipped from the Netherlands. I can't tell the difference between these pins and the BioQuip brand pins, the nylon heads are in good shape (some cheap brands have heads that easily break or slip off), I'm very happy with this brand.

Indigo Instruments sells EntoSphinx brand pins. I have not ordered from them but they were recommended by another lepidopterist. They are based in Ontario, Canada, but US orders ship from New York.

Entoquip is a company based in Arizona (started up after BioQuip closed, developed their own UV light setup), which also sells EntoSphinx brand pins, recommended by another lepidopterist.

Entomoravia, another company in the Czech Republic, sells Austerlitz brand insect pins in black and stainless steel, all sizes from 000 to 7.

eBay actually has quite a few sellers of insect pins. Some look like off-brands of uncertain quality, but if you specifically search for "Entochrysis insect pins" you should find several offerings of this brand that BioQuip sold as an alternate to their own name brand pins. They are also available directly from the company here.

Amazon also has a number of options, including the Austerlitz brand from the Czech Republic.

Carolina Biological Supply has generic black enamel pins but they're a little on the pricey side.

BugsDirect is a UK company that ships insect specimens to the US and also sells EntoSphinx brand black insect pins in size #2 only.

Paquet (linked below) sells Austerlitz brand pins in all sizes.

Spreading Boards, Cabinets/Drawers, etc.

Atelier Jean Paquet, Inc. is a company in Canada which produces spreading boards, Cornell and USNM style cabinets and drawers, Schmitt boxes, Austerlitz brand pins, and other supplies. I plan to purchase items from here and will report back on my experience(s). I know someone who purchased several of their Cornell drawers and about a quarter of them arrived with broken glass. He had them replaced by a local glass shop. I've heard that someone else had a similar experience and Paquet paid for the replaced glass, while others had nothing broken at all. The drawers cost less than BioQuip, especially with the USD/CAD conversion rate, so the price may be worth the occasional inconvenience of replacing a few glass tops.

Ecology Supplies has been selling Cornell drawers and unit trays for a few months and recently started offering Cal Academy size drawers and unit trays. They only offer wooden spreading boards at this time.

Also see EntoSphinx site mentioned above for spreading boards and related items.

BugHouse in Belgium has the hard-to-find narrow strips of glassine paper I like to use for holding down butterfly wings during the spreading process, although several of them are currently out of stock (seems to be a problem everywhere!)

If you want to try making your own drawers, this tutorial by Jeff Smith in California looks extremely helpful: https://www.resourcefulentomology.com/insect-drawers

Rearing Cages

BugDorm - this is the producer of some of BioQuip's cages. BioQuip was their only distributor in the US. You can purchase BugDorm products directly from their website or from other distributers such as Solida in Canada, NHBS in the UK, and Roppon-Ashi in Japan.

Raising Butterflies has a variety of cages and sleeves.

Sagebrush Butterflies is a family-run business by Matthew Campbell in Oregon. They primarily rear livestock (of the butterfly and moth variety!) and produce jewelry items, but also sell rearing sleeves and small cages. Use search term "rearing" on the website to find these items.

Many science supply companies offer cages, such as Educational Science.

Many other places sell a variety of cages, including Amazon, Walmart, and Etsy. Use search terms of "butterfly cage", "insect cage" or "rearing cage".

Butterfly Nets

Raising Butterflies sells 18" net bags and associated components.

Educational Science sells a variety of nets. Home Science Tools also carries a few student-style nets.

Roppon-Ashi in Japan sells a number of high-quality nets (look under "frames" for net rings and "rods" for handles on the English translation of their website).

UV Lights

There are many LED options on Amazon. In particular these were recommended to me by a fellow collector, they can be strung together or plugged in separately, very adaptable, they don't get super hot like some lights, and they are good at attracting a number of moths.
Entoquip, a company in Arizona, started up after BioQuip closed and developed their own UV light setup.

Other Collecting Items

Plastic tubes and glass vials can be found from a variety of medical or chemical supply companies, eBay, Amazon, and other places. 

For the small 2ml tubes with snap cap, search for "snap cap collecting tube 2 ml" or "2 ml snap cap microcentrifuge tube"

One place to start might be this place: Premium Vials.

Dried Specimens

The Butterfly Co. primarily sells dried specimens of butterflies, moths, beetles, and some other insects. They also have a small selection of spreading/mounting supplies.

BugsDirect is a UK company that ships insect specimens to the US.

Sagebrush Butterflies sells eggs and pupae of select species reared in Oregon and some dried specimens.

Chemicals

I do not use chemicals due to allergies/sensitivities. Some suggestions I've seen for ethyl acetate (commonly used in killing jars) include:
Fisher Scientific - may also be able to get cyanide from here (another killing jar option).

3 comments:

  1. Thank you! This resource is solely needed in light of Bioquip's decision. I hope you continue to update this page.

    ReplyDelete
  2. How about Ethyl Acetate? Any sources ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, I don't know of any, maybe a chemistry supplies business? I have chemical sensitivities so I don't use any, I put specimens in a cooler in the field and freeze them later.

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