Bugs & Butterflies UK Reviews 

426
TrustScore 3 out of 5

3.2

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 125 reviews, most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Consumers generally find the products fascinating, noting that watching the complete lifecycle of the insects is a wonderful and engaging family activity. People frequently mention that shipments are well packed and appreciate receiving helpful communication and regular updates regarding item availability. Some reviewers were not happy with slow response times when trying to contact support teams for assistance. Customers also experienced significant delivery delays, while others mentioned receiving damaged or non-viable insects upon arrival. Buyers expressed deep frustration when orders took many months to arrive or failed to hatch successfully.

What people talk about most

Product

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about product, reflecting deeply divided opinions. Many consumers praise... See more

Order

Users describe ambiguous interactions with order, reflecting a sharp division in customer experiences. On one... See more

Delivery service

Reviewers highlight ambiguous aspects of delivery_service, as customer experiences vary significantly. Many... See more

Quality

Customers had positive experiences with quality, noting that insects and livestock arrived securely packaged... See more

Response time

Clients share ambiguous opinions on response_time, with experiences varying significantly among consumers.... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

So no communication no caterpillar eggs & it’s been over a month wish I’d seen these reviews. Updating this review as the eggs have arrived two months later, there are no instructions & I feel bad as... See more

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

I was aware that there would be some delay depending on seasonality, it took 4 months for the eggs to arrive - it would have been even better if there could be approximate arrival times so that food/p... See more

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Dont get the bad reviews, some species take some time (as mentioned on their website “estimated”) but i can’t complain. Received my eggs, who emerged already in mini caterpillars on their way. Most o... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great customer service. I think lots of the reviews here failed to read about how the delivery windows work for live caterpillars etc. I felt informed every step of the way, product arrived as expecte... See more


Company details

  1. Pet shop

Written by the company

Supplier of entomological & aquatic livestock based in the UK.


Contact info

3.2

Average

TrustScore 3 out of 5

426 reviews

5-star
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1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 16% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 month

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3.2

All reviews

(426)

118 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Awesome

Eggs look healthy! Takes a while for them to arrive but that's not surprising considering moths can not lay on command and often lay depending on season,so if you don't receive your eggs/cocoons as quickly as you expected, I suggest waiting and maybe checking the website to see when it said they may be available. Would definitely order again, seller is lovely and I can't wait to see some moth larvae hatch!

16 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Highly recommended! They have a challenging job, but are amazing at it!

Have been using Bugs and Butterflies for the last few years and I cannot fault them!
Working with live animals is always going to be unpredictable, and although frustrating when an order is delayed or cancelled, the team always do their best to keep you informed, supply the orders and offer alternatives if needed. It's a challenging business they operate, but I honestly feel like they do an amazing job to bring us such a niche product in the UK.
I know my orders are always packed perfectly with the speediest postage, and that my moths will make an appearance when they are ready, with a team on-hand to help if I need it!

Thank you to the team - you are all fantastic!

19 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great product and service - also great entertainment!

We received a great service from this company (delivery, comms, product..). We bought two sets of UK Moth eggs and all hatched (you do have to read the guides provided on the Bugs website though - with instruction it is easy to do - but if you just 'wing' it is likely that they won't hatch, will die or will escape!). You do also have to be patient for the order to arrive - there is a definitive Moth lifecycle that cannot be circumvented ~(they don't lay eggs to order!). The fun we had with showing our young kids the whole lifecycle was also immense. Highly recommended

27 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Worth the wait 😃 Giant Atlas moths

I was aware that there would be some delay depending on seasonality, it took 4 months for the eggs to arrive - it would have been even better if there could be approximate arrival times so that food/plants could be bought in preparation. Out of 12 eggs, 10 hatched & 5 caterpillars have made it to maturity - which is pretty average in our experience. These caterpillars have thrived and my daughter absolutely loves them. They’re fascinating although just to warn you, you need a lot of food 🤣. Andrew has kept in touch with us all the way through & seems more than happy to offer advice. Glad we persevered with the wait.

17 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent quality

Used a few companies for my hobby and this is by far the best, delivery is always quick and the quality is second to none , and always there for extra help if needed , couldn’t recommend more

3 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Re: Uncharitable Reviewers - The Loud Minority

I have bought two batches of moth eggs from this company this year and have two batches of cocoons on the way. My experience of all of my orders has been perfectly satisfactory, they have even provided me with extras and refunds when there have been minor issues without any hassle. Details on each order at the bottom of the review.

I have found this company very reliable and affordable for the service they provide. Having read through some of the negative reviews I am concerned that some customers dont seem to understand that they are purchasing live animals that are being transported though the postal service for their convenience. Of course there will be uncertainty with delivery dates and they may experience damage but the company do their best to remedy any issues you encounter so long as you let them know!

Details of orders:

1st Order: I bought 10 Gynanisa Maja eggs and they arrived 2 days after my purchase. I received around 14 newly hatched (1st instar) caterpillars along with a portion of host plant and they all seemed healthy and thriving. Unfortunately, the caterpillars did not take to my host plant (from my garden) and as these were the first caterpillars i ever tried to raise i didnt notice the signs they were starving until it was too late and I killed them all after about a week or two 🥲

2nd order: I bought 10 Rothschildia Lebeau eggs and I recieved about 11 unhatched eggs. They all looked fairly healthy maybe a bit dehydrated from travel but after a few days I recieved an email to let me know that unfortunately this batch of eggs had been having a poor hatching rate and I received a full refund as store credit which I was very happy to use to try again lol. I did get lucky and one of my eggs from this batch hatched which I was very pleased with! My one surviving caterpillar was doing well until I had to leave it for the weekend under the care of my family and I think it dried out and sadly died.
I had contacted customer support before purchasing to make sure these caterpillars would accept my host plant and they replied after a few days guidance

3rd order: I pre-ordered 2 Aticas Luna cocoons (I decided I needed to try something easier than the very fragile baby caterpillars). They were pre-ordered for summer/spring of 2026 in the black friday sale but the team let me know that they had some of these cocoons coming in this month and asked if I would like them early which I said yes to! They are due to arrive soon (I will post an update when they arrive).

4th order: I purchased 2 Argema mimosae cocoons as a gift for a friend. Prior to my purchase I had contacted customer service twice, first asking what kind of moths I should aim to buy as a novice who has not had much success with my previous eggs, to which they let me know cocoons would be best to buy and a few species that would be best as well. After this response I did some research and decided on Argema mimosae and I emailed them again to double check that this order is likely to be successful as a gift for my friend on her birthday (21st Dec) they contacted me after I made my order to let me know that the Argema mimosae may not arrive by the date I need but that they are happy to substitute with another species that will be ready if thats what I would prefer, to which I said yes that would be my preference. I made the order for the Argema mimosae on the 7th of Dec and they dispatched my order a week later on the 15th. They let me know they replaced my mimosae with a similar priced alternative species like I requested (and they made it an impressive looking one (Attacus Lorquinii) which I also asked for lol) and they included an extra cocoon for free for the trouble!

In summary: Amazing customer service. Replies can understandably take a little bit of time (a couple of day). Live creatures are fragile but the company are very helpful when things go wrong.

17 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

It’s my first time ordering pupae and…

It’s my first time ordering pupae and cocoons, and it’s been super easy to do!

From care questions, to order changes, and being kept updated when my orders can be expected made everything super smooth!

Hopefully if I can raise my moths well, I’ll be back for many more!

Thank you!!

1 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Its amazing experience

Its amazing experience! Delivery was quick, our Attacus lorquinii moths hatched in 3 weeks and they were beautiful and really cute! We will definitely make another order soon! ;)

6 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The people at Bugs and Butterflies are great…

The people at Bugs and Butterflies care about their customers, and also their tiny animals.
They keep customers up to date with orders which may take their time because animals are not predictable, and keep in touch to ensure you are enjoying keeping tiny livestock, and doing it well and with confidence. I am currently raising Atlas Moths who are very impressive larvae.
Their catalogue is very tempting mind you, and I have to fight myself not to buy animals I am not set up to keep.

16 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

STAY FAR AWAY

Shocking customer service. Does not reply. My order took months to come, I understand that it is subject to season, breeding etc, however what I don’t understand is the total lack of customer service. I ordered peacock butterfly pupae and they all arrived DEAD. No point in emailing them, as they are too busy taking other people’s money. STAY AWAY PLEASE, YOU WILL LOSE YOUR MONEY. I have reported this company multiple times with no avail. The absolute nerve you guys have.

13 December 2025
Unprompted review
Bugs & Butterflies UK logo

Reply from Bugs & Butterflies UK

Hi Lana,

Please could you email your order details to customer.support@bugsandbutterflies.uk - we will be happy to resolve this for you.

We have a live/healthy arrival guarantee for UK orders but cannot act on this if you do not inform us of issues on arrival.

Many thanks,
Customer Support

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Have been happy with my orders

I have ordered two times and have been happy with both of my orders. It took a while before the orders were posted, but this is normal with this type of business. Everything was packed really well and my e-mails have also been answered. Will be ordering from them again.

20 November 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

What bugs me......

Being aware of the time of year and availability of seasonal supply, I ordered some blue morpho butterflies that were showing imminent delivery. Bugs and Butterflies kept me informed of the status of delivery (took a little under a week to arrive) and the pack of 5 pupae arrived securely and carefully packed and in a very healthy condition. They are all flourishing and, as a first time keeper, I've even received support with follow up care.
I honestly feel that a lot of the negative reviews on here are due to customers not noting the availability of supply and perhaps not fully considering that these are livestock and supply is not as easy as selecting items from shelves in a warehouse.
I'll definitely order again!

24 November 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Very disappointed

I have had mixed experiences with this organisation some good but the latest terrible customer service means I will be returning to WWB

27 September 2025
Unprompted review
Bugs & Butterflies UK logo

Reply from Bugs & Butterflies UK

Hi Arch,

Can you please let us know what your order number is? We have not received any under your name.

Many thanks,
Customer Support

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No stock sent

No stock sent. No answers to emails. Worst customer service. Ignore at all costs! I will be arranging a charge back with my bank. Then they responded claiming to "respond to every email", when their own mailing list states they're "backlogged" with emails. I have checked junk emails as requested. Nothing. Total jokers. Would rate zero stars if I could.

21 November 2025
Unprompted review
Bugs & Butterflies UK logo

Reply from Bugs & Butterflies UK

Hi Richard,

Can you please let us know what your order number is? We can then follow up on it for you. We reply to emails every working day so please check your spam/junk folder for correspondence.

Many thanks,
Customer Support

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

SADLY AWFUL EXPERIENCE

Ordered pupea and caterpillars all pupea dead and others not arrived emails but very little would not recommend at all now going through bank for refund. WASTE OF TIME. SUCH A SHAME LOVELY WEBSITE

20 September 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Don't order from this company

Don't order from this company, they don't supply?.. they email months after starting eggs will be coming, but they never do!. Last response August, still no comma eggs, I've asked for a refund, avoid

1 July 2025
Unprompted review

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