Insect Rearing Courses for Credit…a First!

The first INSECT REARING courses for credit are now being taught at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

• In 2009, Dr. Allen Cohen, Research Professor, taught a graduate seminar in insect rearing through the Entomology Department at North Carolina State University, (we believe this is the first for credit course in insect rearing).

• In spring 2010, Dr. Cohen taught a 3 unit graduate level lecture and laboratory course in insect rearing through the Entomology Department at NCSU (ENT 591 & 791).

• In this course (planned again for 2012), students will be using interdisciplinary  exploration and fusion of the fundamentals of classical insect rearing with the principles of food science, microbiology, quality control, engineering , biotechnology, bio-manufacturing, genetics, textiles, and plant science.

• Distance Education in Insect Rearing:  We are currently developing a new course in insect rearing science and technology to be offered as an on-line course.  This course will be a 3 credit hour survey of rearing techniques, chemistry of diets, development of diets, microbes in the insectary environment, genetics of domesticated insects, quality control, understanding you insect in the rearing setting, equipment used for rearing, and several other topics of interest to current and future rearing professionals.

Webinar Series for USDA, APHIS

• Series Coordinator: Allen C. Cohen, developed in cooperation with Drs. Ken Bloem and Hannah Nadel, of USDA, APHIS

• NCSU Department of Entomology, Insect Rearing Education and Research Program

Rearing Webinar Format & Purpose

• Monthly presentations and discussions led by Allen C. Cohen

• USDA, APHIS rearing personnel are the participants and contributors

• Each webinar begins with a short presentation

• What follows is a discussion of each topic by all participants

• The design of the webinars is to provide a basic body of information about rearing and to offer a forum for contributions by APHIS rearing personnel

 

Training on YOUR work site

• We can provide short courses for your organization

• We can work at your site to train personnel in diet and rearing basics or advanced techniques

Training your staff on OUR site: we now offer opportunities to train your staff

• General principles of rearing

• Operation of standard rearing equipment (balances, volumetric equipment, pH meters, microscopes, spectrophotometers, various kinds of diet processing equipment)

• Diet-making methodology

• Diet assessment and quality control

• Basics of insect biology that pertain to rearing quality, healthy insects

• Other topics tailored to your specific needs