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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #293630
Title: Introduction: Mass production for beneficial organisms

Author
item LEPPLA, NORMAN - University Of Florida
item Morales Ramos, Juan
item Shapiro Ilan, David
item Rojas, Maria - Guadalupe

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/22/2013
Publication Date: 1/2/2014
Citation: Leppla, N., Morales Ramos, J.A., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Rojas, M.G. 2014. Introduction. In: Morales-Ramos, J.A., Rojas, M.G., Sharpio-Ilan, D.I., editors. Mass Production for Beneficial Organisms: Invertebrates and Entomopathogens. London, United Kingdom: Academic Press. p. 3-16. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-391453-8.00001-7

Interpretive Summary: There are numerous organisms that are beneficial to humans and the environment. Some of these organisms can be cultured on a large scale. However, certain key aspects in production technology and maximization of cost efficiency are lacking for many beneficial organisms. The purpose of this book is to assemble state-of-the-art mass production technologies for a wide variety of beneficial organisms and thereby stimulate new ideas for advancing the field. This volume is comprised of a series of comprehensive descriptions of the industrial-level production of insects, mites and pathogens for biological control, and beneficial invertebrate organisms for food, pollination and other purposes. Additionally, there are reports on artificial diet development and quality assurance for arthropods, as well as insect pathogen production and formulation. The final section covers insects as food for animals, insectivores and humans, along with solitary bees for pollination and earthworm mass culture. Technological improvements that are needed include inexpensive artificial diets, stimulation of oviposition, mechanization of egg collection and diet infestation, ways to confine and manipulate organisms, and storage, packaging, shipping, and quality control and assurance of products. These kinds of challenges have been addressed for mass producing different organisms and the advancements made for one species could be applied to others. The synthesis of methodologies and concepts associated with the various rearing systems will lead to substantial improvements in production efficiency and numerous economic and environmental benefits to society.

Technical Abstract: There are numerous organisms that are beneficial to humans and the environment. Some of these organisms can be cultured on a large scale. However, certain key aspects in production technology and maximization of cost efficiency are lacking for many organisms. The purpose of this book is to assemble state-of-the-art mass production technologies for a wide variety of beneficial organisms and thereby stimulate new ideas for advancing the field. This volume is comprised of a series of comprehensive descriptions of the industrial-level production of insects, mites and entomopathogens for biological control, and beneficial invertebrate organisms for food, pollination and other purposes. Additionally, there are reports on artificial diet development and quality assurance for arthropods, as well as entomopathogen production and formulation. The final section covers insects as food for animals, insectivores and humans, along with solitary bees for pollination and earthworm mass culture. Technological improvements that are needed include inexpensive artificial diets, stimulation of oviposition, mechanization of egg collection and diet infestation, ways to confine and manipulate organisms, and storage, packaging, shipping, and quality control and assurance of products. These kinds of challenges have been addressed for mass producing different organisms and the advancements made for one species could be applied to others. The synthesis of methodologies and concepts associated with the various rearing systems will lead to substantial improvements in production efficiency and numerous economic and environmental benefits to society.