Insect Rearing Center

Mississippi State University

Frank Davis International Insect Rearing Workshop


History

Participants of the Frank Davis IIRW 2022 touring the MSU Insect Rearing Center at Clay Lyle Building Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS.
Participants of the Frank Davis IIRW 2022 touring the MSU Insect Rearing Center at Clay Lyle Building Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS.

In 2000, the Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology at Mississippi State University (MSU) initiated formal education for those who rear insects under laboratory conditions. The idea of a workshop devoted to insect rearing was conceived by USDA/ARS and MSU researchers who had spent many years rearing insects professionally. Not only did they recognize a need for insect rearing education in this country; but, based on their extensive international travels, they also recognized a global need for such education. Thus, an intensive five-day workshop titled "Principles and Procedures for Rearing High Quality Insects" designed to cover all the major areas of laboratory rearing of insects and advertised on a world-wide basis was born.

The first insect rearing workshop was held fall 2000. Attendance was limited to 24 students primarily to allow hands-on laboratories as part of the educational experience. Because the demand for the workshop was so great, we scheduled a second workshop that same fall. We currently anticipate increasing the attendance to 40 students or more since we have a new venue for the workshop at the Mill Conference Center. We completed our 23rd workshop in July 2022.

A total of 557 students have attended the workshop. Of these, 156 have traveled to the U.S. from a total of 32 countries. The remaining students originated from a total of 39 states and territories within the U.S. Breakdown of the attendees based on gender and on public institutions vs. private industry are as follows: 53/47% (female/male) and 40/60% (public/private).

For further information concerning the MSU Insect Rearing Center, contact Dr. Fred Musser, Director, MSU Insect Rearing Center at (fm61@msstate.edu).

On several occasions, the workshop has been dedicated to an individual who deserves recognition for having made significant contributions to the field of insect rearing. Those who have received this distinction include the following:

  • Dr. Peter P. Sikorowski for his outstanding research on disease and diet contamination and their management in insectaries.
  • Dr. Norman C. Leppla for his superior leadership role in the insect rearing community and for his pioneering and continuing efforts in establishing the "Quality Control Concept" for rearing programs.
  • Dr. Alan C. Bartlett for his scientific contributions to the understanding of genetic changes within colonies of laboratory reared insects.
  • Dr. Pritam Singh for his pioneering efforts in developing artificial diets and systems for rearing many insects in the laboratory.
  • Dr. Frank M. Davis for his development and dissemination of outstanding rearing technology for lepidoptera and for his primary role in the initiation of this workshop.
  • Dr. Allen Carson Cohen for his outstanding contributions to insect nutrition and development of artificial diets for both phytophagous and entomophagous insects.
  • Dr. William "Bill" Fisher for his many outstanding contributions to insectary design and management during his ca. 30-year long career with private industry.
  • Dr. Clarence Collison for his support of the MSU Insect Rearing Workshop from its inception through 2009 as Head of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.
  • Mr. Carlos White for creation of the family-owned company "Insect Lore", which has reared the Painted Lady butterflies used to introduce millions of children around the world to the wonder of metamorphosis.
  • Dr. Muhammad Chaudhury for his many contributions to insect rearing including development work on diets to rear the screwworm fly for the Sterile Insect Technology programs in Central America and for his tireless contributions to this workshop.
  • Dr. Louella Castrillo for her outstanding contributions as the instructor in insect pathology for the International Insect Rearing Workshop.
  • Ms. Carole McReynolds Davis for her service as Frank Davis' helpmate and cheerleader and as an independent and indefatigable dispenser of Mississippi-style, old fashioned Southern Hospitality to all the workshop students, but especially the international students, 2000-2013.
  • Ms. Amanda Lawrence for her indefatigable assistance with the Insect Pathology Laboratory and arranging for and setting up the food at Workshop breaks.
  • Dr. John C. Schneider for his service to all 19 workshops (2000-to date), editing the book "Principles and Procedures for Rearing High Quality Insect", editing the MSU Insect Rearing website, and maintenance of the MSU Insect Rearing Center.
  • Dr. Norman C. Leppla for his contributions to insect rearing as a discipline and for his service to the insect rearing community both nationally and internationally, including service as an International Insect Rearing Workshop instructor on 18 occasions.
  • Dr. SenSeong Ng for his outstanding, career-long contributions to insect rearing as a discipline, including his dedicated service as an International Insect Rearing Workshop Instructor starting in 2014.

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500th Workshop Attendee(s) Recognized

The 500th attendee of the International Insect Rearing Workshop since its inception in the year 2000 was to be the 14th registrant of the 2019 Workshop. As it happened, when Bethany Boegler and Caitlin McNab, both at the USDA APHIS PPQ lab in Brighton, MI, registered together on 8 March 2018, they tied for being the 500th IIRW registrant. Both Bethany and Caitlin were recognized for their joint distinction and were presented copies of The Insect Cookbook: Food for a Sustainable Planet (Arts and Traditions of the Table: Perspectives on Culinary History) by Arnold van Huis and Henk van Gurp at the Celebration Banquet/Dedication/Graduation/Farewell event Thursday evening 18 October.

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Group Photo and Student Comments from the 2022 Workshop
23rd Frank Davis International Insect Rearing Workshop at the Mill Conference Center July 3rd – July 7th 2022, Mississippi State University

2022 Workshop Participants and Instructors

Photo by Dominique Belcher, MSU Ag and Natural Resources Marketing

  1. Sandra Woolfolk, (Special Lecturer) USDA ARS, Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Unit, Starkville MS.
  2. Charlotte Aldebron, USDA ARS, HI, USA
  3. Eunie Baratta, Corteva Agriscience, IA, USA
  4. Aerie Rose, Corteva Agriscience, IN, USA
  5. Constance Darrisaw, Lee County Mosquito Control District, FL, USA
  6. Keena Curbelo, USDA ARS HI, USA
  7. Sandy Kirchoff, Corteva Agriscience, IA, USA
  8. Joseph Disi, Bayer Crop Science, IL, USA
  9. Dominique Zarders, USDA ARS, HI, USA
  10. Stephanie Gayle, USDA ARS, HI, USA
  11. Omar Hetzael Lopez Almonte, National Polytechnic Institute/ Tech of Higher Studies of Chalco, Mexico
  12. Roberto Periera, (Instructor), University of Florida, Gainsville, FL, USA
  13. Amanda Wagner, Valent Biosciences LLC, IA, USA
  14. Raffaela Schreurs, NGN, Netherlands
  15. Lara Notten, NGN, Netherlands
  16. Natraj (Krish) Krishnan, (Instructor), Coordinator of Workshop, Mississippi State University, MS, USA
  17. Margaret Parks, Evergreen Growers, OR, USA
  18. Olivia Osterwalder, Andermatt Biocontrol Suisse AG, Switzerland
  19. Zoe Dinges, Valent Biosciences LLC, IA, USA
  20. Sawyer Perez. UPL Open Ag, NC, USA
  21. William (Bill) Fisher, (Instructor), NC, USA
  22. Jonathan (Jon) Lelito, BASF Corp.NC, USA
  23. Rafael Homem, BigSis, United Kingdom
  24. Esmaeil Amiri, (Special Lecturer), DREC, Mississippi State University, MS, USA
  25. Patrick Anderer, Pan Terra GmbH, Germany

Absent from group photo:

  • Jeffrey Harris, (Instructor) Co-coordinator of workshop, Mississippi State University, MS, USA
  • Rammohan Balusu, BASF Corp. NC, USA
  • Diede Melsen, Koppert Biological Systems, Netherlands

Photos from the Workshop at the Mill Conference Center,
the Bull Barn and at Clay Lyle Entomology Building Mississippi State University

Dr. Jeffrey Dean, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, MSU, welcoming the participants of the 23rd IIRW 2022 at the Mill Conference Center
Dr. Jeffrey Dean, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, MSU, welcoming the participants of the 23rd IIRW 2022 at the Mill Conference Center
Dr. Frank Davis, USDA/ARS (Retired) – the pioneer who started the IIRW, with his wife Ann Davis at the Bull Barn BBQ.
Dr. Frank Davis, USDA/ARS (Retired) – the pioneer who started the IIRW, with his wife Ann Davis at the Bull Barn BBQ.
Dr. Jeff Harris (Instructor) with Raffaela Schreurs, NGN, Netherlands at the Clay Lyle Entomology Building.
Dr. Jeff Harris (Instructor) with Raffaela Schreurs, NGN, Netherlands at the Clay Lyle Entomology Building.
Dr. Bill Fisher (Instructor) with Dr. Rammohan Balusu, BASF and Dr.Jon Lelito (Instructor), BASF, at the Mill Conference Center.
Dr. Bill Fisher (Instructor) with Dr. Rammohan Balusu, BASF and Dr.Jon Lelito (Instructor), BASF, at the Mill Conference Center.
The Hawaii girls: Dominique Zarders (left), Stephanie Gayle (back), Keena Curbelo (right), Charlotte Aldebron (front), from USDA ARS, HI, USA
The Hawaii girls: Dominique Zarders (left), Stephanie Gayle (back), Keena Curbelo (right), Charlotte Aldebron (front), from USDA ARS, HI, USA

Graduation Certificate Awarding Ceremony at the Conclusion of the 23rd IIRW 2022 on Thursday Evening July 7th
“Shorty’s” at the Mill Conference Center, Starkville, MS

Dr. Jeffrey Dean, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, MSU, presenting the graduation certificate to Patrick Anderer (General Manager, Pan Terra GmbH, Germany) at the graduation ceremony
Dr. Jeffrey Dean, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, MSU, presenting the graduation certificate to Patrick Anderer (General Manager, Pan Terra GmbH, Germany) at the graduation ceremony
Dr. Jeffrey Dean, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, MSU, presenting the graduation certificate to Diede Melsen (Koppert Biological Systems, Netherlands) at the graduation ceremony
Dr. Jeffrey Dean, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, MSU, presenting the graduation certificate to Diede Melsen (Koppert Biological Systems, Netherlands) at the graduation ceremony
Dr. Jeffrey Dean, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, MSU, presenting the graduation certificate to Constance Darrisaw (Lee County Mosquito Control District, FL, USA) at the graduation ceremony
Dr. Jeffrey Dean, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, MSU, presenting the graduation certificate to Constance Darrisaw (Lee County Mosquito Control District, FL, USA) at the graduation ceremony
Dr. Jeffrey Dean, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, MSU, presenting the graduation certificate to Sawyer Perez (UPL Open Ag, NC, USA) at the graduation ceremony
Dr. Jeffrey Dean, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, MSU, presenting the graduation certificate to Sawyer Perez (UPL Open Ag, NC, USA) at the graduation ceremony
Dr. Jeffrey Dean, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, MSU, presenting the graduation certificate to Rammohan Balusu (BASF Corp, NC, USA) at the graduation ceremony
Dr. Jeffrey Dean, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, MSU, presenting the graduation certificate to Rammohan Balusu (BASF Corp, NC, USA) at the graduation ceremony
Dr. Jeffrey Dean, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, MSU, presenting the graduation certificate to Aerie Rose (Corteva Agriscience, IN, USA) at the graduation ceremony
Dr. Jeffrey Dean, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, MSU, presenting the graduation certificate to Aerie Rose (Corteva Agriscience, IN, USA) at the graduation ceremony

Photos by David Ammon, MSU Ag & Natural Resources Marketing


At the close of each workshop, students complete a comprehensive evaluation (an online Qualitrics survey) assessing strengths and weaknesses of instructors, workshop logistics, and overall workshop effectiveness. These evaluations have been critical to the continued improvement of the workshop. We are proud of an average overall workshop effectiveness rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 for the 2022 Workshop. A few comments from the 2022 workshop attendees follow:

Comment 1: "This was a wonderful workshop and learning experience with great networking opportunities!"

Comment 2: "Thank you all so much. All of the instructors have been wonderful and your time is greatly appreciated!"

Comment 3: "Fantastic resource. Would definitely tell others."

Comment 4: "Thank you. [I] have many things to take back and share with my group."

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The 25th IIRW Summer 2024 Workshop: Overview

The IIRW 2024 has been scheduled at the Mill Conference Center in May 2024. The Workshop will be held Sunday early afternoon through Thursday evening May 19th to May 23rd 2024. The Workshop will be coordinated by Dr. Jeffrey Harris, Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University (e-mail: Jharris@entomology.msstate.edu)

The program will include a series of lectures delivered by the following instructors:

  • Dr. Jeff Harris (MSU) - Environmental Biology
  • Dr. Mike Caprio (MSU) - Insect Population Genetics
  • Dr. Natraj “Krish” Krishnan (MSU) - Nutrition & Diets and Quality Control
  • Dr. Seung-Joon Ahn (MSU) – Insect – Host plant interactions
  • Dr. Chad Finkenbender (Benzon Research) - Insectary Design and Management
  • Dr. Roberto Pereira (University of Florida) - Diseases & Contamination
  • Dr. Jonathan Lelito (BASF)- Health and Safety, Production Systems
  • Dr. Sandra Woolfolk (USDA/ARS) - Insect rearing techniques and automation at the USDA facility
  • Dr. Esmaeil Amiri (DREC, MSU) - Viruses in Insect mass rearing systems.

This team of experts includes several who have more than 40 years experience in rearing a wide range of insect species. While presentations contain pertinent basic scientific information, instructors are encouraged to stress the applied side of rearing because problem solving is essential to successful rearing. To enhance the oral presentations, each student will receive our book "Principles and Procedures for Rearing High Quality Insects", a flash drive containing PDFs of the lectures, and a variety of additional information.

A student forum/round table will allow attendees to discuss their rearing programs and receive feedback from other attendees as well as from the instructors.

Special presentation(s) by invited lecturers will be announced at a later date.

Two laboratories will be held. These newly updated and revamped "hands-on" laboratories will deal with insectary pathology. The first lab is microbiology-oriented and covers identification of various disease agents. The second lab deals with methodologies used to solve disease and contamination problems.

Tours will be made of the MSU Insect Rearing Center and the local USDA/ARS rearing laboratory to observe production systems, including facilities, equipment, supplies, and standard operating procedures for various insect species.

Social events will be held during three evenings and one midday to provide opportunities for lecturers and students to enjoy some delicious Southern cooking while sharing rearing information and just relaxing. Each day, two breaks are held for snacks and additional interchange of information among participants. Networking of students and lecturers is a goal of the workshop because such relationships facilitate the long-term exchange of information and ideas.

Dedication of the 2024 workshop may be made at the final social event of the workshop.

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