RESTCLOUD Monarch Butterfly Habitat Cage, Outdoor Insect Mesh Cage Terrarium 16" x 12" x 16"

I don't use these for butterflies. I use them to raise and reproduce bloodworms. While the midge flies (adult bloodworms) won't bite humans, it looks too much like a mosquito and I didn't want to scare anyone if they got loose. There is a dish of water inside of this for the actual bloodworms, and the net holds the midge flies as they lay new eggs. This set-up will also help keep the real mosquitos out so they don't use the water to reproduce. I have it turned on the side to allow for a bigger water container, and one "clear" viewing window to check on midge fly progress.The only thing I would have changed, is have someone create a version of this with a solid base to hold water. Then I don't have to use a separate dish. Anyone actually *trying* to raise mosquito larvae could use this net as well to keep the biting mosquitos from getting loose.It is also very sturdy, although it can be a bit tight to put together. But that's a good thing because it holds very well. It *is* lightweight, so don't expect the bars to hold up to setting a heavy box on top or anything. It's not meant to be a stand for anything heavy! But that being said, the bars are still sturdy enough to hold more of their kind, so you could stack 2 or 3 more of these on top (in alternating diagonals) with no problem.

Easy to assemble.The arm-length sleeve with drawstring to close the end is a lifesaver. I'm keeping flies in one of these, and with several dozen flies buzzing around inside you would lose some every time you opened the zipper to insert or remove a food tray or egg-laying platform.Small enough to fit in the fridge or freezer to temporarily immobilize the flies or finally euthanize for harvest.The one person who said he had to shorten the tubes is building it wrong! I made the same mistake the first time. I thought the frame had to go inside the netting to support it. The assembled frame obviously won't fit through the unzipped opening, so you have to assemble the frame inside the netting, like a ship in a bottle. That's not too hard, but as noted the tubes are a bit too long. I cut about 1" off every tube and was able to assemble it inside the netting, and had a fairly nice working cage. BUT THAT'S ALL WRONG! the netting is suspended from the frame which is OUTSIDE the netting, as you can clearly see in the illustration. Each seam of the netting has a long folded tab, which opens up into a sleeve. Insert the tubes into these sleeves, connect them at the corners, and you very easily make a better cage.What is the size of the holes?The holes are somewhat trapezoidal, and to small for me to measure even with reading glasses. I took a picture and enlarged it- will try to upload. In the long dimension there are ~12 holes per cm. Given the finite thicknes of the thread this means < 0.83 mm. In the other direction they are smaller. IThis was the Monarch Butterfly Habitat Cage, Outdoor Insect Mesh Cage Terrarium 16" x 12" x 16"RESTCLOUD

Thr cage was fairly easy to assemble, although I could not find any instructions. They may have gotten misplaced if they were enclosed. The only thing I do not like is the extension on the front which I assume was there so your arm could reach in without unzipping the cage. It seems like it could be unsafe for wandering caterpillars, so I twisted it and closed it off. It The frame gives good support for the mesh cage,

It's wonderfully strong and tight on the frame and I have zero complaints.I get these beautiful green caterpillars whenever I grow parsley. They turn into gorgeous black swallowtails. Last year I was horrified to see wasps carrying them off. This year I discovered caterpillars in my parsley pot. Remembering the trauma of watching the wasps carry them off to be butchered I bought this butterfly hab and put the whole parsley pot inside. I feel a lot better knowing they're safe and sound.

My son wanted a netted habitat, "like the butterflies" have, but I didn't want a pop-up one. He wanted it for his Ghost Mantis so we wanted to have is stationary and not get knocked over. This one is GREAT! It has structure with the PVC piping and a large zippered door. We had a problem at assembly and reached out the the seller. Seller was really TERRIFIC in response and made it all work out better than we had expected. Thank you! We highly recommend this habitat, it is good quality and is very stable sitting on a table. PVC fits together tightly and securely. I do wish there was a pan to place at the bottom, but we can figure out something pretty easily ourselves. P.S.- I was NOT paid for this review!! Just sayin'...

Great product! Sturdy zippers work with ease, perfect size,cleans up well. I bought several they were great for raising monarchs. Had one delivered and missing a part, customer service was excellent.

I absolutely love these. I've yet to purchase a Restcloud brand item I didn't love. The quality is always amazing. These are by far my favorite though. The PVC frame makes it a bit sturdier and makes stacking them easy. The fabric is the same high standard fabric all the other Restcloud enclosures have. These are awesome for so much more than just butterfly raising. These are amazing for raising mantids, feeder flies, phasmids, and a wide array of other awesome invertebrates. The clear plastic side is one of my favorite things on all the cages. I don't use it for viewing but rather as the floor of the enclosure making it easier to clean up droppings and spills.

Not useable for long term