A tub of green bottle or blue bottle casters can turn from “not ready yet” to “far too many flies” quicker than expected. The trick is to control temperature, moisture, and timing so you get usable live flies when your inverts need them, not all at once. Green bottle and blue bottle casters are the pupal stage of blowflies. They are often used to produce live flies for reptiles, amphibians, mantids, spiders, fish, birds, and other insect-eating animals. They are useful becaus

Identifying the sex of your regal jumping spider can feel tricky at first. These small, agile creatures show subtle differences between males and females that become clearer once you know what to look for. Understanding your spider’s sex helps you provide better care, anticipate behaviour, and even plan breeding if you’re interested. This guide walks you through the process step by step, with clear tips and examples to make sexing your regal jumping spider straightforward. St

Air plants, or Tillandsias, have become a favorite among plant lovers for their unique appearance and minimal soil needs. These fascinating plants absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves, making them easy to display in creative ways. This guide shares practical tips to help you care for your air plants like a pro. Understanding Air Plants and Their Needs Air plants are epiphytes, meaning they naturally grow on other plants or surfaces without soil. They rely on ai

Jumping spiders are fascinating pets known for their curious behaviour and impressive hunting skills. Setting up the right enclosure is essential to keep your spider healthy and active. A well-designed habitat mimics their natural environment, providing safety, comfort, and stimulation. This guide walks you through the key steps to create an ideal home for your jumping spider. Choosing the Right Enclosure Size and Type Jumping spiders do not require large spaces, but their en

A wonderful way to nourish your insect friends is by making homemade fruit jelly. This easy process lets you control the ingredients, ensuring that your beetles receive the essential nutrients they need to flourish. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to create your own fruit jelly and look at the benefits it provides for your insect collection. Why Feed Fruit Jelly to Insects? Fruit jelly is an exceptional food source for various types of insects, especially beet

In the world of pets, invertebrates offer a captivating alternative to traditional furry companions. They require less space, are often easier to care for, and can be fascinating to observe with their diverse behaviours. If you're looking for a low-maintenance pet or simply want to explore the animal kingdom's diversity, selecting the right invertebrate for your first pet can be an exciting adventure. This guide will help you make an informed decision that fits your lifestyle

Hatching stick insect eggs might feel overwhelming at first, but with the right guidance and a bit of patience, it can turn into a fulfilling hobby. If you're stepping into the captivating realm of stick insects—also known as phasmids—you may quickly find yourself enchanted by these remarkable creatures. They are not only unique and fascinating but also relatively easy to care for once you grasp the essential steps involved in hatching their eggs. This guide provides best pra

Moths can be a hugely exciting addition. Generally as adults they don't feed and they don't live hugely long, but rearing caterpillars and watching them grow into stunning large moths is greatly rewarding On Arrival You will find on arrival that your cocoon will have a cut or slice on the side or top. This is an inspection hole has been made to check that the pupae is alive and will be useful to allow you to check on the pupae from time to time. Temperature & Humidity 24-27 C

Basic beetle life cycles for stag, rhino and flower beetles. Most beetles have a hugely fascinating life cycle. Some species have a very short life cycle and reproduce fast others have a very long grub stage. The basic principles are that the beetles lay eggs generally in the substrate or within rotting logs. These eggs hatch out and the grubs develop. Grubs go through 3 main development stages named L1, L2 and L3. Grubs then form a cocoon using the substrate and any other ma

Always a common question... how do I set up my ant colony from a single queen. What equipment will i need? Nest area Foraging area or outworld Connection tubes Pipette Food (beetle jelly, honey and animal protein) Healthy Queen How will my ants arrive? Most of the time your queen and colony or brood will arrive in a test tube. At one end there will be a water source secured by cotton wool. The other end will be plugged by another ball of cotton wool. The ants will be in the m

... a cross between a spider, a scorpion and a crab? or a magical creature from Harry Potter The whip scorpions are a hugely fascinating group of Arachnids named Thelyphonida. They consist of the tailless whip scorpions and the vinagroons. In fact the whip scorpions are neither a scorpion nor a spider. They form their own group. They make great pets, easy to look after and very gentle. They are not harmful to humans other than the Vinagroons who can spray a vinegar like chemi