Products
This page gives a brief overview of our product line. Click on the links for more information on each product. For prices and ordering, please have a look at the price list or online shop.
Standard Hand Nets
Hand nets are an indispensable piece of equipment for entomologists. Our standard hand nets comprise three elements: A frame, a handle and a net bag. These can be bought together or as separate components. Options are available in all three components.
Frames
The basic frames are round and 'four-fold', so they can be folded down - ideal for carrying in luggage and back packs (see photo below.
These are available in four sizes measured by the diameter: 35cm (14in), 40cm (16in), 50cm (20in) and 60cm (24in). The two smaller sizes are the most popular with entomologists. The 60cm diameter frames are mainly supplied to batworkers. (The 60cm is also used as the frame of our beating tray (see below)).
Net Bags
The bags are available in either black or white polyester (or white, cotton organdy) and in all sizes to suit our four-fold frames (see photo above). The 40cm (16in) bag is also available in a longer size, creating a deeper net.
Handles
There are a number of options in handle length and type. The handles, which are made of lightweight aluminium, are available in the following lengths:
- 30cm (1ft)
- 55cm
- 60cm (2ft)
- 90cm (3ft)
- 120cm (4ft) (see photo).
Extension pieces are also available in all lengths except 120cm. Extension pieces attach between the frame and handle to create a longer handle.
Finally, we also have a telescopic handle. This fits our frame and unextended is 65cm long. The maximum length is 105cm. A useful handle when extra length is needed.
Due to parcel size (length) restrictions, it is not possible to send handles longer than 60cm to EU countries. We can supply 55cm long handles and extension handles to European customers.
Spring Frame Net
A smaller alternative to the standard net is the spring frame net (see photo). These have a frame made of flexible spring steel so they can be neatly folded - ideal for carrying in pockets and back packs. The steel frame, although flexible, is still robust and our net does not suffer as much from the problem of excessive flexing when in use, that is apparent in some inferior versions. The frame has an integral, short (15cm/6in) handle with a black moulded grip (this handle is not interchangeable with other handles in our range). A 25cm/10in or 30cm/12in net bag in black or white can be fitted.
Sweep and pond nets
These nets have more robust frames than the standard hand nets and so can be used to catch insects by sweeping the nets through vegetation. (They do not fold down like the 'four fold' net frames). We supply two types - light and heavy duty.
Light Sweep Net
The light sweep net has a kite shaped frame which takes a 40cm bag in polyester netting or calico (see photo). It also requires a handle - we recommend the 30cm/1ft handle or 60cm/2' handle with this net.
Heavy Duty Sweep Net
The heavy duty net is also kite shaped and can be supplied with a netting or a heavy duty calico bag (see photo). It has an integral handle which is not compatible with other handles in our range.
Pond nets
A complete extremely robust pond net for use in all types of aquatic habitat. They can be used for general sweeping and kick sampling. Supplied complete with a nylon net bag and with a two piece threaded handle. These nets conform to Environment Agency specifications. They are frequently called Kick Sample Nets.
Pond Net Bags
Standard pond net bag: replacement bag for standard 25cm frame - 32cm deep, 1mm mesh
Long pond net bag: a slightly deeper replacement bag for standard 25cm frame - 50cm deep, 1mm mesh
Sorting Trays
Sorting trays are used to examine the catch when pond dipping in the field or the contents of pitfall traps back in the lab/work area.
We have two sizes of plastic sorting tray: 36 x 26cm (white) and 50 x 38cm (pale gray).
Beating Trays
Beating trays are used to sample the fauna in trees and shrubs. The tray is placed under a branch or foliage; which is then hit sharply with a stick to dislodge the insects which fall onto the calico tray. They then can be caught in a vial or pooter. Beating trays are best suited to catch insect larvae and slow moving insects (beetles and Hemiptera).
Our beating tray consists of a circular calico panel fitted to the 60cm folding frame with a 30cm handle. The frame is foldable once the handle is removed. (see photo).
Malaise and other flight interception traps
Our Malaise traps have been supplied and used in many parts of the world. They are manufactured of high quality material and to a standard specification, but can be modified to your requirements. We also supply several other types of flight interception traps used in entomological research.
Flight Interception Net (FIN)
For Coleoptera a simple barrier net suffices and is used in combination with a water trap as beetles descend when they hit a barrier. (NOTE a FIN is simply a net barrier; it does not use a collecting head). We supply two sizes of FIN. (We can also make them to your specification)
Malaise Traps
Malaise traps work on the principle that many flying insects will move upwards when they hit a barrier. They are essentially open-sided tents with a central baffle and a collecting head at the highest point. Flying insects hit the central baffle and ascend to be caught in the collecting head. Malaise traps are suitable for catching Diptera and Hymenoptera, especially.
Several options are available in black or white or black with white roof. All are fitted with a collecting head which can be used wet or dry. Traps are supplied with collecting head, a spare bottle with lid, pegs and guys lines but NOT poles. (Poles are not supplied as they would be too long to post).
Pitfall Traps
Pitfall traps are used to sample ground dwelling invertebrates eg. spiders, beetles. Animals falling into the trap are unable to climb out.
Pitfall Kit
1m long marker stick (black or yellow), 5 x wide neck jars (with screw on lids), straining net, small sorting tray (36 x 26cm).
Add-on Kit
1m long marker stick (black or yellow), 5 x wide neck jars (with screw on lids), straining net.
Wide Neck Jars
1000ml Plastic wide neck jar, with lid.
Miscellaneous
Petri dishes: Glass Petri dishes 9.5cm dia. x 1.5cm deep. With lid.
Waterbook: A6 size, totally waterproof notebook, spiral bound. Takes pencil or ballpoint pen.
Pooter: Basic pooter with 4 interchangeable, 60ml jars, with lids. Clear polystyrene jars.
Sarstedt collecting tubes: We stock 5 sizes of plastic, Sarstedt tubes, with tight seal, screw on caps which prevent evaporation of alcohol from stored specimens. These tubes are resistant to Ethyl Acetate. Tube sizes are: 2ml, 8ml, 30ml, 45ml and 70ml.
Hand Lenses: We have three types of hand lens: Ruper double hand lens (x3 x5); Ruper triple hand lens (x3 x4 x5); and a 'Linen tester' with millimetre grid (x6).
Storkbill Forceps: These are made especially 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.
Flexi-drive: An extremely useful tool for tightening (or loosening) the worm drive hose clip on our Malaise and emergence trap heads. The flexi-drive head is hexagonal to fit over the head of the tightening screw and is much easier to operate than a slot head screwdriver.
Emergence Traps
Emergence traps are used to sample insects emerging from the ground or from collected material. Several types are available.
Standard Emergence Trap
This sits flush to the ground and lacks a base. Insects emerging from the area of ground covered move upwards and are collected in a Malaise-type collecting head.
Owen Traps
These are similar to the standard emergence trap, except they have a floor. Material such as dead wood, flood debris or leaves, is put inside, the trap is sealed and any insects emerging are collected in the head. As the base is floored, contamination of the material is prevented once it is sealed in the trap.
Macro Emergence Trap
The Malaise trap design can also be adapted to create a larger emergence trap by increasing the size of the side panels so they reach to the ground and removing the central baffle. These large traps have been used to sample insects emerging from wetland habitats and grassland and their use was pioneered by Dr Martin Speight of the Irish National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Winkler Extractor
Like the Owen trap, material such as grass or leaves, is placed in net bags which are then suspended inside a large calico bag. The bottom of the calico bag tapers down to a collecting jar, the top is sealed and the whole trap is suspended somewhere cool and airy (eg. a garage). This allows the material to dry out slowly, causing any invertebrates within to migrate out of the net bags, and downwards, in an effort to find higher humidity.
Rearing and Breeding Cages
Both of these are essentially circular tubes of netting normally 50cm/20in or 100cm/40in in height and 35cm/14in or 60cm/24in in diameter. They can be hung up or, for the breeding cages, we can supply supporting rods if required.
Rearing cages are open at the bottom, so they can be fitted over a potted plant providing the larvae with fresh growing leaves.
Breeding cages (see photo) are totally enclosed and fitted with one 45cm/18in zip (a second or longer zip can be fitted if required). Normally both these items are made of black polyester netting, but can be made in white net on request.
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' (see photo) A more efficient version is our cone bait trap. This has an inverted, open cone of netting inside the base of the tube prevents butterflies escaping from the trap.
