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Product Updates 03/11/2026 – Ecology Supplies

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 🌱Spring is around the corner!🌱

Clocks have moved forward, daylight hours are longer, and it finally feels like spring is around the corner! Our team has been busy fulfilling many orders for equipment in anticipation of the warmer season. Remember, if you are looking to purchase items in bulk for the warmer season, make sure to reach out so we can ensure your order can be fulfilled in time. 

Thank you to the NJ Mosquito Control Association for having us! We enjoyed getting to meet members of our local county Mosquito Control Agencies and other Mosquito Control Experts across the state. Since the meeting, we have been buzzing about new mosquito and tick related products! 

March arrivals include: Combination Net Bags (Pre-Order open), Insect Rearing Cages (our largest size is over 6ft tall!), our most affordable Malaise Trap is finally here and ready to ship, and Replacement Aquatic Net Bags (Water Quality Sampling and Heavy Duty, Pre-Order open) . 

Items returning this month include: Unit Trays (size B, C, D, J, K, L, Y); Folding Boxes; Foam Spreading Boards, Plastazote Foam Bottoms; and Litter Reducers. 

We hope everyone is excited for the coming of spring and we cannot wait to share more of what we are working on in the coming months!

-The Ecology Supply Team

 

Newest Arrivals to Ecology Supplies

Combination Aerial Net Bag

  • Available in 12″ & 15″ diameters
  • Designed with sturdy polyester netting at the end, muslin, and a durable reinforced band around the net ring. Great for general and student use.

Insect Rearing Cage (Now in larger sizes!)

  • from 25 cm cubes to our largest measuring 100 cm x 195 cm (over 6 ft), we are sure there is an insect rearing cage for whatever your purpose!
  • The smaller cages are made with aluminum frames, and the larger cages are PVC
  • All cages come with an access zipper, some with access sleeve (see listing for more details)
  • All cages have mesh with 100 µm openings
  • Size 30x30x59 and 46x46x89 are currently discounted due to the connectors being slightly too loose, but this could be easily repaired with some scotch tape if you would like to take advantage of the discount!

Malaise Traps

  • Due to high demand, we were able to do a larger production run, which lowered prices significantly
  • Now $250 each ($225 if you purchase 10 or more)

Replacement Aquatic Net Bags (Water Quality Sampling & Heavy Duty)

  • Water Quality Sampling design allows water to drain out rapidly and allowing for easy viewing of macroinvertebrates
  • Heavy Duty design includes sturdy canvas and protective skirt, perfect for sampling in rocky areas
  • Both Types are for D-frame shaped Nets
  • Rings and Handles will be available in the future!

     

    Returning

     

     

    UPDATE – On the Horizon

    Thanks to the many suggestions and ideas from customers, we have so many new products coming in 2026! If there is anything in particular you are interested in or plan to purchase in bulk, email us at [email protected]

    Want to help us test or give feedback?  Fill out our NEW PRODUCT SUGGESTION FORM: HERE

    If you need to place an order larger than what we have available or have a product need not currently offered, please reach out to [email protected] or comment below!

     

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    Winter Entomology Guide – 10 Entomology Activities To Get You Through The Winter

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    Winter Entomology Guide

    Now that we are in the slow and cold season in the Northern Hemisphere, many entomologically-inclined folks are stuck inside and searching for ways to pass the time. If you belong to this group, you are in luck because we have our Winter Entomology Guide – 10 Entomology-Themed Activities to consider to get you through the winter! Winter is a great time to get prepped for the peak season, brush up on some entomological reading, and also work through your piles and piles of backlogged specimens. We are sure you will find something in our list that will help get you through this chilly season!

    1. Pinning Insects

    Photo Credit: Sophia Di Piazza

    The struggle of many entomologists, new and experienced, is the ever growing pile of specimens to be processed. Whether they are taking up real-estate in your drawers, in your freezer, or there is an unlabeled box full of vials and envelopes in an office, there just never seems to be an end to the number of specimens needed to be 

    processed! 

    What better time to commit to reducing even a portion of this pile then while you’re cooped up in the winter! Put on a favorite album or tv show, or maybe plan an insect pinning party with friends!

    Pinning Supplies To Get You Started: pins (stainless steal or black enamel), pinning block, pre-cut points, mounting glue, or you can start with a Student Insect Collection Kit.

    For more information, Purdue offers visual instruction on “how to” pin!

     

    2. Go On A Winter Hike

    Who says you can’t find insects in the winter? Let’s put on our coats and take a walk outside!

    Even though most insects become dormant or migrate during this time of year, there are still a few taking advantage of the cold!

    Supplies For An Ultimate Winter Hike: Gloves and a hat, bug catcher, aspirator, snap cap vials, forceps, loupe magnifier, a water bottle, notebook.

    Check out this helpful video by Ash Whiffin on what can be found when you are a creative with where to find invertebrates in winter!

     

    3. Insect Illustration

    What better way to appreciate the many forms 0f insects and invertebrates than spending time trying to replicate it! Whether you use pencil, charcoal, paint, we are sure you can create something extraordinary!

    Another fun idea would be to include friends in your art activities and you could host an informal art show!

    If you are using a pinned specimen as your muse, consider using a loupe magnifier to really get all of those details! You could also use our unit trays to get just the right angle.

    If you are looking at live specimens, consider an insect rearing cage or portable insect cage.

    4. Spreading Insects

    We know that spreading specimens takes time and patience, so let’s take advantage of the slow season and get started on getting those specimens prepped and ready for your collection!

    Our spreading boards – whether foam or wood, can get the job done! To help ease the process along, we also offer different sizes of pinning strips to help efficiently lay delicate specimens against the board of your choice.

    Supplies For Proper Insect Spreading: pins, spreading board, pinning strips, forceps

    If there is any confusion, or just need a little guidance: Oregon State University gives detailed “how to” guide on spreading multiple specimens, large or small.

     

    5. Upload To iNaturalist/Help With Identifications

    Like many entomologists in the Northern Hemisphere right now, the only evidence of green landscapes and warm weather might be in your camera roll. Speaking of which, your camera roll is most likely FULL of those identified or maybe unidentified specimens from those various field trips you have taken. Don’t let those amazing observations stay buried in your camera roll, instead give them a new life on iNaturalist! If you have locality, date, and time you are already on your way to contributing to some amazing data!

    If you happen to be really great at uploading directly to iNaturalist, then take some time and help with identifications! They could be in an area you are familiar with, a taxa that you know well, or just helping to narrow unknown observations to order.

    Here are a few useful links for using the app:

    Getting Started

    Educator Guide

    For the Visual Learners

    For the Curators

    6. Labeling Your Insects

    If your pinning is behind, we can also assume that your specimen labeling might need some time and attention as well. A well kept collection is only helpful if all of the critical data is also included with your specimens. This will also help avoid any forgotten or misplaced specimens. We have to admit, it is so satisfying when labels are all aligned.

    Tip: Using our pre-cut labels can save the hassle of cutting so that you can spend more time organizing your collection.

    Ultimate List of Labeling Supplies: label pens, forceps, archival paper, pre-cut labels, metal pinning block.

    Need a refresher? UC Riverside offers guidance on labeling insects, as well as great visuals for reference.

    7. Read Entomology Field Guides

    This might be for the extreme entomologist, but what better way to learn about a new taxa, or dive deeper into a taxa you already know than taking time to look through an insect field guide.

    This is also a great excuse to look at the images and illustrations in the guides and consider our earlier suggestion to take some time and practice your entomological illustration. Do you have a favorite guide? Here are some of ours!

    Field Guide to Insects of North America by Eric R. Eaton & Kenn Kaufman

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History also has some great resources.

    There is also the amazing digital guide that is BugGuide.net!

    If you are still working on growing your collection of guides, make sure to checkout your local library!

    8. Organizing Your Specimens

    So you’ve finally pinned and labeled your backlog of specimens! The final step is to make sure they are organized so that as your collection grows, you have the space!

    For long term preservation, we recommend our Cornell drawers, along with our Cornell Unit Trays. For cost efficient storage, we also offer Folding Insect Storage Boxes, that are great to travel with. We also have California Academy and USNM style unit trays for organizing in your preferred drawer system. We also have label pins if you plan to label a particular group of specimens.

    Photo by New Mexico State University Arthropod Collection

    NC State Extension offers detailed support on “how to” start your insect collection. Even though it may be a slow season, it is a great time to start sorting through your insects!

    9. Read Entomology-Themed Books

    Picture it: Cozying up by the fire and reading a book about insects. You can’t get better than that! Here are some great recommendations for your next winter read:

    As always: Stop by your local library for a larger selection of great entomology books!

    For the Kids:

    Too cold to play outside? Not a problem!

    Reading books is great for boosting brain power.

    Here are some great recommendations for the young, aspiring entomologists:

    For more bug activities check out: National Geographic Kids!

    10. Take up Insect Photography

    Whether it’s for your own personal records, or you’re planning to upload some observations to iNaturalist, or you’re going to post on social media, Insect Photography is a great way to pass the time during the cold months!

    After you have taking all of that time to pin and spread those specimens, they deserve to be shown off and immortalized forever.

    Consider using our pinned specimen manipulator to get your specimens in perfect position.

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    Product Updates 02/12/2026 – Ecology Supplies

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    🌤️Longer days are ahead!🌤️

    As the shortest days of the year are behind us, we are sure that many of you are itching for spring! Maybe your area just experienced a great deal of snow or ice, maybe you had an uncharacteristically warm day that raised your spirits. Whatever situation you are in, we share your longing for the lush greenery and warmer weather! Here at Ecology Supplies, we are using this time to still tinker away and prepare many amazing new products for the upcoming field seasons! If you are still searching for a way to help get you through the slow days of winter, we have the guide just for you! Introducing our winter entomology guide: 10 Entomology Activities To Get You Through The Winter. 

    If you missed it in January’s newsletter, we are now offering free shipping for orders over $200! (only available within the contiguous U.S.). 

    We are also gearing up to attend the NJ Mosquito Control Association Annual Meeting in Galloway, NJ. If you are attending, please stop by, say hi, and grab a sticker! 

    The February new arrivals include: an improved Plant Press (with Replacement Blotting Papers and Replacement Corrugated Cardboard Ventilators available); larger Rearing Cages (up to 6ft! tall); Malaise Trap Collection Bottles; and our lowest price for Malaise Traps (pre-order open). 

    Restocked items include: Soft Mesh Net Bags; Pop Up Cages; Specimen Sorting Trays; Mosquito Movers; and Foam Spreading Boards;

    Returning soon in March: Unit Trays (size B, C, D, J, K, L, Y); Folding Boxes; Plastazote Foam Bottoms; and Litter Reducers.

    We hope everyone is enjoying this time of rest and we cannot wait to share more of what we are working on in the coming months!

    -The Ecology Supply Team

     

    Newest Arrivals to Ecology Supplies

    Insect Rearing Cage (Now in larger sizes!)

    • from 25 cm cubes to our largest measuring 100 cm x 195 cm (over 6 ft), we are sure there is an insect rearing cage for whatever your purpose!
    • The smaller cages are made with aluminum frames, and the larger cages are PVC  
    • All cages come with an access zipper, some with access sleeve (see listing for more details)
    • All cages have mesh with 100 µm openings
    • Size 30x30x59 and 46x46x89 are currently discounted due to the connectors being slightly too loose, but this could be easily repaired with some scotch tape if you would like to take advantage of the discount! 

    Improved Plant Press

    Pin Holder – 9 slots

    • Easy way to organize pins on a lab bench or work station
    • Wooden, 5.75″ x 4.5″ x 1.25″

    Malaise Traps (pre-order open)

    • Due to high demand, we were able to do a larger production run, which lowered prices significantly
    • Now $250 each ($225 if you purchase 10 or more)

    Malaise Trap Collection Bottles

    • Great for replacing lost bottles or having extra bottles on hand for long term surveys

       

      Returning

      Returning soon: 

       

       

      On the Horizon

      Thanks to the many suggestions and ideas from customers, we have so many new products coming in 2026! If there is anything in particular you are interested in or plan to purchase in bulk, email us at [email protected]

      Want to help us test or give feedback?  Fill out our NEW PRODUCT SUGGESTION FORM: HERE

      If you need to place an order larger than what we have available or have a product need not currently offered, please reach out to [email protected] or comment below!

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      Product Updates 01/22/2026 – Ecology Supplies

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      💫Happy New Year and Welcome 2026!🌟

      While the insects in New Jersey are inactive this time of year, it’s an opportunity for us to rest and reset for the upcoming season. Ecology Supplies HQ has been buzzing with ideas after the excitement of ESA 2025 in Portland and this is the time for us to turn those ideas into reality. Speaking of which, we are excited to start off 2026 with some BIG NEWS!

      For the first time, we are offering free shipping for orders over $200! (only available within the contiguous U.S.). 

      Maybe this will be helpful for anyone ordering in bulk for a class? or maybe this is a perfect reason for you to grab that new piece of ento-equipment? or maybe a chance to add-on some of our amazing merch (like Stickers and The Dispersers Shirt)? Whatever your strategy, we won’t judge! We’re just happy to offer this new shipping deal 😁

      Another exciting update coming in 2026: due to high demand, we can do a larger production run of Malaise Traps which lowered prices significantly (now just $250 each) and we will also be finally offering replacement collection jars!

      The January new arrivals include new types of forceps: Swiss Style 7; and Lightweight Forceps (a firmer option to the fan favorite Featherweight Forceps, for when you need a little more grip). 

      Restocked items include: Vacuum Aspirators; Light Tents; Bug Catchers; and 2A and 4 Swiss Forceps.

      We hope everyone is enjoying this time of rest and we cannot wait to share more of what we are working on in the coming months!

      -The Ecology Supply Team

       

       

      Newest Arrivals to Ecology Supplies

      Swiss Style 7

      • Super fine tips with a curve
      • ultimate precision tool for any entomologist, biologist, or hobbyist

      Lightweight Forceps

      • Do you love our Featherweight forceps but want something firmer yet still lightweight? Look no further, our new and improved Lightweight Forceps are here to help! 
      • These forceps are available in two different tip sizes: Wide or Narrow.

         

        Returning

         

         

        On the Horizon

        Thanks to the many suggestions and ideas from customers, we have so many new products coming in 2026! If there is anything in particular you are interested in or plan to purchase in bulk, email us at [email protected]

         

        Want to help us test or give feedback?  Fill out our NEW PRODUCT SUGGESTION FORM: HERE

        If you need to place an order larger than what we have available or have a product need not currently offered, please reach out to [email protected] or comment below!

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