LET5813 - Insect Biology

Credit hours

Instructor
José Roberto Postali Parra
Pedro Takao Yamamoto

Objective
The course consists of training researchers in insect rearing and nutrition, focusing on biological control
programs. Importance of insect rearing. Techniques of insect rearing focused on the importance of biotic
and abiotic factors as development drivers. Artificial diets to insect orders of agricultural importance.
Programs of biological control (classical and applied), including rearing of natural enemies "in vivo" and
"in vitro".

Content
Insect rearing in laboratory. insect development and metamorphosis. Stages of biological study in
laboratory. importance of the environment for insect rearing in laboratory and field (weather
instruments used in biological control). Sexual dimorphism in insects. Insect diapause. Techniques for
studies in laboratory and field. Principles of insect nutrition: history, terminology used in artificial diets.
Feeding habits of insects. Nutritional requirements: physical, chemical and biological. Diets for insects
of agricultural importance: composition, preparation and example. Criteria to evaluate whether a diet is
adequate: morphological, biometric, nutritional and life table. Insect digestion. Laboratory models for
insect rearing. Minimum sanitary conditions for insect rearing in laboratory. Quality control. Techniques
for rearing of parasitoids and predators: "in vitro" and "in vivo". Stages of a biological control program.
Mass rearing. Edaphic factors. Discussion and pratical works on the covered topics.

Bibliography
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COHEN, A.C. 2015. Insect diets: science and technology. CRC Press, 439p.
CÔNSOLI, F.L.; PARRA, J.R.P.; ZUCCHI, R.A. (Eds.). 2010. Egg parasitoids in agroecosystems with emphasis on Trichogramma. New York: Springer, 479p. (Progress in Biological Control, 9)
KING, E. G. & N.C. LEPPLA (Eds.). 1984. Advances and challenges in insect rearing. USDA, ARS, 306p.
LEPPLA, N.C. & T.R. ASHLEY (Eds.). 1978. Facilities for insect research and production. USDA, 86p. (Technical Bulletin 1576).
MORALES-RAMOS, J.A.; ROJAS, M.G.; SHAPIRO-ILAN, D.I. (Eds.). 2014. Mass Production of Beneficial Organisms: Invertebrates and Entomopathogens. London, UK: Academic Press, 742p.
PANIZZI, A.R. & J.R.P. PARRA (Eds.). 2009. Bioecologia e nutrição de insetos: base para o manejo integrado de pragas. Brasília, Embrapa Informação Tecnológica, 1164p.
PANIZZI, A.R.; PARRA, J.R.P. (Eds.). 2012. Insect Biology and Nutrition for Integrated Pest Management. Boca Raton, CRC, 732 p.
PARRA, J.R.P. & R.A. ZUCCHI (Eds.). 1997. Trichogramma e o controle biológico aplicado. Piracicaba, Fealq, 324p.
PARRA, J.R.P. 2005. Técnicas de criação de insetos para programas de controle biológico. Fealq/Esalq/USP/ Depto. de Entomologia, 134p.
PARRA, J.R.P.; BOTELHO, P.S.M.; CORRÊA-FERREIRA, B.S.; BENTO, J.M.S. (Eds.). 2002. Controle biológico no Brasil: parasitoides e predadores. São Paulo: Manole, 635p.
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PARRA, J.R.P.; ZUCCHI, R.A.; COELHO JR., A.; GEREMIAS, L.D.; CÔNSOLI, F.L. 2015. Trichogramma as a tool for IPM in Brazil. In: VINSON, S.B.; GREENBERG, S.M.; LUI, T.-X.; RAO, A.; VOLOSCIUK, L.F. Biological control of pests using Trichogramma: current status and perspectives. Yangling, Shaanxi: Northwest A&F University Press. p.472-496.
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van LENTEREN, J.C. 2003. Quality control and production of biological control agents. Theory and testing procedures, CAB Publishing, 327p.
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