An enclosure for holding one or more live insects, e.g. bees, moths or butterflies, comprises a holding chamber 2 and an inlet to the holding chamber, wherein the inlet is provided with an access control means which allows a user to control access to the holding chamber and prevents insect(s) from escaping. The access control means includes a first aperture (29, figure 2) in the base (28, figure 2) of the holding chamber. A receptacle (24, figure 2) includes second aperture (31, figure 2), and is movable relative to the base of the holding chamber. In a first open position, the apertures are in alignment, and in a second closed position, the first and second apertures are out of alignment and no part of the apertures overlap. In a preferred embodiment, the access control means is biased towards a closed position. The enclosure may include one or more vents and may be made from a transparent or plastics material. A feeder 7 may be arranged such that in use, insects may be fed from inside the holding chamber. A feeder for an insect is also disclosed.
