Educating the next generation of insect rearing professionals: Lessons from the International Insect Rearing Workshop, Mississippi State University, 2000–2017

Authors: SCHNEIDER, JOHN - Mississippi State University; LEPPLA, NORMAN - University Of Florida; Chaudhury, Muhammad; Castrillo, Louela; NG, SEN-SEONG - Biopda, Llc; FISHER, WILLIAM - Basf Corporation North America; EBLING, PETER - Canadian Forest Service; CAPRIO, MICHAEL - Mississippi State University; RIDDELL, THOMAS - Air Filter Sales And Service

Submitted to: American Entomologist
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2018
Publication Date: 6/13/2018
Citation: Schneider, J.C., Leppla, N.C., Chaudhury, M.F., Castrillo, L.A., Ng, S., Fisher, W.R., Ebling, P.M., Caprio, M.A., Riddell, T. 2018. Insect rearing education: Seventeen years of experience with the International Rearing Workshop at Mississippi State University. American Entomologist. 64(2):102-111.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/tmy020

Interpretive Summary: The demand for formal insect rearing education and training has been addressed at two institutions in the U.S.: one at North Carolina State University and the other at Mississippi State University (MSU’s International Insect Rearing Workshop, or IIRW). The IIRW has delivered comprehensive instruction on rearing principles and procedures, and the instructors have encouraged and facilitated life-long learning through networking among graduates and through consultation. The benefits of this experience have been career advancement for insect rearing professionals employed in public and private institutions and opportunities for entrepreneurs who produce and market insect products. Graduates of the IIRW have developed into an international network of insect rearing professionals who continue to amplify the knowledge they have gained at MSU.

Technical Abstract: Insect rearing science and technology provides vital support for many areas of entomology and its applications, including basic and applied research, pest management, educational activities, and the nascent technology of insect production for feed and food. Consequently, insect rearing received increasing attention during the 20th century and was explicitly recognized as a profession. In spite of this recognition, until the 21st century, insect rearing professionals received nearly all their training informally by working in insect rearing programs, networking with other professionals, and studying insect rearing manuals and literature. During the past 17 years, however, the demand for formal insect rearing education and training has been addressed at two institutions in the U.S.: one at North Carolina State University and the other at Mississippi State University (MSU’s International Insect Rearing Workshop, or IIRW). The IIRW has delivered comprehensive instruction on rearing principles and procedures, and the instructors have encouraged and facilitated life-long learning through networking among graduates and through consultation. The benefits of this experience have been career advancement for insect rearing professionals employed in public and private institutions and opportunities for entrepreneurs who produce and market insect products. The IIRW has helped to retain highly trained professionals in the field and literally saved some small companies, including butterfly and biological control agent producers, from failing. Graduates of the IIRW have developed into an international network of insect rearing professionals who continue to amplify the knowledge they have gained at MSU.