| About us. For many people the first experience of Insects is in childhood. That experience and what you are told by adults can shape the way you think about these fascinating creations. Maybe it was a worm, spider, caterpillar, butterfly or some other creature you found in the Garden that you promptly picked up and took into show Mum or Dad! Maybe you kept your little find in a jam jar for a few days before letting it go? This curiosity for touching and interaction with insects was the norm years ago. Sadly as children grow, minds and opinions are formed and paths are made, then insects are not given much of a second look. You may marvel at them on T.V. or in books, but nothing can replace hands on interaction with insects, as you experienced in those early years! For myself I was lucky enough to be helped to the next level by a local Entomologist and I spent a few happy years rearing and breeding various species of Moth and Butterfly. However the L.B.A offers you the chance to try again!
Today hands on practical experience have been slowly lost to watching T.V. programmes and photography with a minority viewing practical Entomology grimly. However thousands worldwide enjoy breeding and rearing Moths and Butterflies offering a wealth of knowledge and experience un-known by any other means. These tireless individuals help keep alive breeding programmes and promote conservation from a more practical hands on angle. Various release sites have shown that species can be successfully introduced/re-introduced under the correct circumstances.
The L.B.A. offers a unique opportunity to share in this interaction between Lepidoptera and Humans. We offer a selection of fascinating species like the huge Silkmoths (Saturniidae) or aerodynamic Hawk moths (Sphingidae) to the delicate Blue Butterflies of England! Apart from livestock we carry stocks of field and study equipment for breeders and a selection of dried and set cabinet specimens for those with reference collections, or wishing to start one. Our store offers you the chance to purchase a range of plants, trees and shrubs as nectar and larval sources. In addition our plant selections can be used to encourage native species into your garden for you to enjoy at leisure!
AIMS OF L.B.A.
1. To widen the scope of Public awareness and encourage Study of Moths, Butterflies and Entomology via hands on practical interation.
2. To encourage the young to take an interest in the world around them, especially insects.
3. To undertake and support captive Breeding programmes and reintroduction efforts.
4. To offer Captive Bred livestock, Dried and SET specimens, equipment, books and support for the active field Lepidopterist and insect photographer.
5. To help third world ecomomies financially via over-sea breeding Farm's.
6. To encourage conservation of the envirmonet by means of "Butterfly & Moth" minded Gardening, planting and management.
7. To observe, marvel and enjoy what is so easily missed and lost without needless red tape.
Habitat loss and modern agriculture has played a significant role in the destruction of insect species, especially in industrialized lands. Each of us can play an active role in helping Moths and Butterflies, weather that is by planting a “Butterfly Bush” or helping locally at Nature reserves. Butterflies and Moths can be restored to their former glory in the UK and throughout the world if we work together. All facets of Entomology when working together can achieve this. Observation and interaction should be a right of all and we hope that you will support this belief.
You can contact us by.Or you can fill in this form and let us contact you. |