Welcome to I REaR

INSECT REARING EDUCATION and RESEARCH PROGRAM

Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University

Allen Cohen,  Program Coordinator

The I REaR program is dedicated to:

  • The advancement of insect rearing as a formal science and technology

  • The education of students and rearing professionals in the most up-to-date rearing practices

  • The development of quality control and process control in rearing systems

  • The development of insectary problem solving quantitative diagnostic techniques

  • The recognition that insect rearing must be multidisciplinary and data driven

Insect Rearing Philosophy

  1. Rearing is treated as a science and technology rather than an art

  2. Knowing the insect thoroughly is essential to successful programs

  3. Rearing is interdisciplinary

  4. Good rearing systems must provide all the needs of insects (everything that insects need in nature must be provided in artificial rearing systems)

Who Makes up the Insect Rearing Program at NCSU?

  • The IREaR program is based in the NCSU Entomology Department, with extensive interactions and cooperation with other departments

  • The program coordinator is Dr. Allen C. Cohen, Research Professor, and the Program Administrative Associate is Jacqueline L. Cohen

  • Most members of the Entomology Department are actively involved in rearing insects that are targets of their research programs (see faculty roster)

  • Other departments where cooperation with I REaR is active include: Food Science (rheology, food chemistry, food microbiology, and food processing equipment), Microbiology, Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center, Forest Bioproducts, and Industrial and Systems Engineering

  • The I REaR program also has extensive networking with industry (both in and outside of the world famous Research Triangle), USDA (APHIS, ARS, and Forest Service), and state departments of agriculture