UV Flashlight
Show your Caterpillar Lab pride with the Lab branded UV flashlight!
*Our flashlights are selling out fast, but we expect to restock within a few weeks!
Having learned about using UV lights to look for caterpillars from a teacher in Ohio in 2016, The Caterpillar Lab brought this past time to the attention of the natural history community and has championed it over the years since!
Many caterpillars fluoresce under ultraviolet light. This simple technique helps naturalists spot species that might otherwise go unnoticed – and now you can discover them, too!
For more than a decade, The Caterpillar Lab has tested a broad range of UV flashlights and watched the technology improve dramatically. The lights we’re offering today combine the features we value most for field caterpillaring—outperforming many models that are larger, more expensive, or heavily marketed.
Key Advantages
• True 365 nm wavelength
Produces stronger, more reliable fluorescence than 395 nm lights; preferred by TCL staff and many field naturalists.
• High-intensity new-generation UV diodes
Illuminate caterpillars at greater distances; far more effective than older, multi-LED “flat-top” designs.
• Stable, non-overheating performance
Unlike many UV lights that shut down after minutes of use, these remain steady through extended field sessions.
• USB charging built into the flashlight
Charges like a phone—no battery removal or external charger.
• Field-friendly design
Battery-life indicator, compact size, lighter than similarly bright lights, and reasonably priced for a tool you may carry (or lose) in the field.
Known Drawbacks
- Battery indicator can behave inconsistently.
- Power button can get sticky with heavy use.
These issues haven’t significantly reduced the usable life of our lights.
After years of testing, these lights offer the best balance of power, stability, portability, rechargeability, and cost. They’re the ones we trust and carry nightly—and they transform any backyard or trail into a UV caterpillar adventure.
SPECS:
365nm UV Black Light Flashlight
4-core Filtered LED High Power Rechargeable UV Flashlight
INCLUDES FULL SET:
365nm UV Flashlight, 7000mAh Rechargeable Battery, USB Charging Cable, Lanyard, UV protection glasses, Glow in the dark sticker
