US 5,351,643 A · High density rearing system for larvae

Abstract

Method and apparatus for rearing insects is disclosed. Information concerning the physical and dietary needs of the insect as well as behavioral characteristics are utilized to maximize the number of larvae reared per unit surface area of diet and per unit of rearing area while minimizing the amount of labor and materials required. An enclosed rearing unit is provided which can be located within an appropriate environment for rearing the insects. There are three sections within the rearing unit: 1) a diet space, 2) a larval space, and 3) a frass space. The diet space includes an appropriate diet medium for the insects. The larval space is located below the diet space and includes a series of vertical partitions perpendicular to and in contact with or nearly in contact with the diet medium such that the insect larvae are able to disperse themselves over the partitions. The frass space is located below the larval space such that any frass collects within the frass space as it is produced and does not interfere with the larval space or the diet space. The rearing system can further include an emergence pan including an outlet for allowing emerging adults to enter an oviposition cage. The emergence pan replaces the frass collection pan when all of the larvae have pupated. The rearing unit is turned upside down such that the emergence pan is located above the larval space and the diet space.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of rearing insect larvae, comprising the following steps:

a. providing an enclosed rearing unit located within an appropriate environment for rearing said insect larvae;
b. providing a diet space within said rearing unit including an appropriate diet medium for said insects;
c. providing a larval space within said rearing unit located below said diet space and including larval attaching surfaces such that said insect larvae are able to disperse themselves over said surfaces;
d. providing a frass space within said rearing unit located below said larval space wherein any frass collects within said frass space as it is produced and does not interfere with said larval space or said diet space;
e. determining a maximum larval density for said insect larvae within said rearing unit at a particular desired stage of larval development wherein said maximum larval density is based upon spatial behavior of said insect larvae and the amount of said surfaces within said larval space;
f. placing eggs of said insect larvae or early stage insect larvae within said rearing unit such that any emerging larvae from said eggs or early stage insect larvae are able to move into said larval space of said rearing unit and the amount of eggs or early stage insect larvae placed within said rearing unit is dependant upon the maximum larval density for said insect larvae;
and
g. allowing said larvae to grow to said desired stage of development.

5 more elements

A method of producing virus, comprising the following steps:

a. providing an enclosed rearing unit located within an appropriate environment for rearing insect larvae;
b. providing a diet space within said rearing unit including an appropriate diet medium for said insects;
c. providing a larval space within said rearing unit located below said diet space and including larval attaching surfaces such that said insect larvae are able to disperse themselves over said surfaces;
d. providing a frass space within said rearing unit located below said larval space wherein any frass collects within said frass space as it is produced and does not interfere with said larval space or said diet space;
e. determining a maximum larval density for said insect larvae within said rearing unit at a particular desired stage of larval development for inoculation wherein said maximum larval density is based upon spatial behavior of said insect larvae and the amount of said surfaces within said larval space;
f. placing eggs of said insect larvae or early stage insect larvae within said rearing unit such that any emerging larvae from said eggs or early stage insect larvae are able to move into said larval space of said rearing unit and the amount of eggs or early stage insect larvae placed within said rearing unit is dependant upon the maximum larval density for said insect larvae;
g. allowing said larvae to grow to said desired stage of development;
h. inoculating said larvae with said virus by spraying a vital suspension including said virus over at least said diet medium;
and
i. harvesting said virus from said larvae once said inoculated larvae are sufficiently infected by said virus.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

High density rearing system for larvae

Life of this patent

High density rearing system for larvae

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20