BioQuip, the biggest source of entomological supplies in North America, is closing on March 11 according to this release. They have long provided many unique tools for researchers, hobbyists, and naturalists that cannot be found anywhere else.
They have been looking to sell the business for the past year, but looks like they are going out of business. They are still taking orders as of February 11.
Nooooooooo! That’s terrible news…I’ve been buying from them for decades. They’re lovely, kind people, too. I’ve never gone to an ESA meeting without visiting their booth in the exhibit hall. Hard to imagine who will fill this niche.
This was pretty much the most depressing news I have heard today. My kids and for that matter myself pretty much grew up involved with Bioquip in one form or another. I have always considered them a part of the family.
Really sad news. But has been interesting watching all the activity on spider/ento-twitter, with PhDs sharing their stories of their first order as young undergrads, going there as kids with their parents, etc. I hope that someone else will be able to fill their shoes (tarsi?) but it’s quite a niche market and there is probably not a lot of money to be made.
As an amateur home-gamer I have never needed to order supplies in any real bulk, but today I ordered vials in gross quantity for the first time, hoping this order will last me a few years. I never thought I’d make an order this big, but I guess I assumed they’d always be around. I’ve only even been shopping there for a few years, but this announcement made me feel some kind of way. A sad day for the entomology world :(
Sad news indeed. Their 12-inch cube observation and rearing cages are perfect to keep katydids and record their calling songs, both in the field and in my bedroom. Very good quality, but the older ones showing signs of wear after several years of use. Should have bought some more.
I don’t see anything about this on the website (either of them), I also usually get emails with updates, etc. Are they just not announcing it widely yet?
They have done a poor job of communicating this, and people have been criticizing them online for that. Going back at least a year or two there has been communication about being in poor shape and wanting to sell.
I have used BioQuip for years, and now that it has gone out of business I am stumped as to where to get Entomology supplies. What other options are currently available to purchase this type of equipment in the United States? (I am not in the US now but what I have should last until I go back).
If this breaks any rules concerning sales, advertising, or similar or prompts comments that do I apologize.
NHBS (UK/Europe) always has a good range of things for a variety of field based life sciences, but I’m not sure about their payment and shipping system. Entomology specific link below:
Little late to see this, but that sucks. They have the best sweep nets, and now I’m not sure where to get replacements. The stuff on Amazon is garbage.
Is Rose Entomology still around as its own entity? I thought they sold their business to BioQuip. www.roseentomology.com redirects to BioQuip’s website. Is there another place to order their gear?