Frequently Asked Questions

How did you get your company name?

Phyllidae is the family comprised of leaf insects. If you ever speak with me in person, you'll know I mispronounce it "file-i-day" - I love the way the word, pronounced this way, sounds both scientific (a la "phylum") and elegant.

Aren't you killing these creatures to make your displays? And isn't that wrong?

I'm not personally killing them, no, but it's true that most are not dying peaceful natural deaths, in their beds, surrounded by friends and family. To assuage your guilt, however, know that in purchasing these insects you're actually helping the survival of the rainforest. While we'd like to think that land set aside for conservation in developing countries is an Eden of frolicking animals who've never seen the face of man, the sad truth is that most laws protecting these lands are not enforced, animals are being poached for food and profit, swaths are being cut down for family farms, and many areas are still being clear-cut.

It's not hard to understand why. People who live in these undeveloped areas have little means of survival except through what the forest offers. Rather than attempting to collect rain in a sieve by policing these territories, it's much more effective to encourage native peoples to preserve the land by promoting a more symbiotic relationship. Hence, insect collection and farming. In several countries, most notably Papua New Guinea, government-sponsored programs purchase butterflies that are either collected in the forest or reared from caterpillars, providing regular income for native peoples in areas with sky-high unemployment rates. Knowing that their livelihood is directly tied to the health of the forest, denizens are much less likely to cause it harm. By regulating the insect trade, government programs ensure that only populous species are being collected.

Although to our Western eyes these insects look rare and exotic, all insects used by Phyllidae are very common.

What about your veneers? Surely those come from the rainforest?

Actually, the "Macassar Ebony" (note the quotes) used in several of my displays is a common North American veneer dyed to resemble exotic wood (a dead ringer, in my opinion). The Zebrano and Zelkowa (Keiki) veneers are made with scrap wood left over when lumber is processed - wood that's normally thrown away - and then bound with natural resin, in a process that is both ecologically friendly and 100% natural.

Do you do custom displays?

Occasionally people will ask me for something that's not in my normal repertoire. If the request fits with my normal style and my normal way of doing things, I may try to comply - in this case, I'd provide a custom quote including extra labor and materials. Often, however, I find that people ask for something someone else is already doing; for example, simple displays against white backgrounds or between double-sided glass. Rather than re-invent the wheel, I prefer in these instances to suggest a designer who's already creating displays of this sort.

Will you spread and mount something I've caught?

This is not a service I offer, but I'm happy to point you in the right direction.

How quickly do you ship out orders?

I normally ship out within 4 days. Backordered items (indicated before ordering) may take up to 4 weeks.

Have a question?