ABSTRACT
Multiple-species insect rearing may be associated with a quarantine facility for importing and clearing natural enemies of pests. Availability of these organisms would facilitate and accelerate research to evaluate new chemicals for effectiveness and selectivity, to screen plant germplasm for resistance, and to introduce biological control agents. Insect rearing is essential to nearly all entomological research. The availability of laboratory-reared insects is essential for research on plant resistance to insects. Often personnel have other duties, and insect rearing has become their responsibility through default. Periodically, programs such as these inevitably fail in their ability to continuously supply projected numbers of high-quality insects. Colonization of insect species is essential for initial screening and subsequent continuous testing of chemical control methods. The availability of large numbers of insects accelerates development of new, more effective, and more economical control measures such as insecticides, pheromones, and chemosterilants.
