Abstract: Diets are described to increase productivity and reduce costs for the production of mealworm protein. Scalable, inexpensive, waste-free, and environment-friendly compositions using combinations of multiple by-products and food ingredients in the optimal proportions to optimize mealworm nutritional needs are described. The cost per kg of the new diets is similar or substantially lower than wheat bran, while at the same time improving growth, shortening development time, and increasing food conversion efficiency compared with wheat bran alone.

Abstract: The insect water supply system is configured to prevent the insects (such as crickets) from self-contaminating the water supplied to the insects' rearing enclosure. The system is designed so that the insects drink in an inverted (i.e. upside down) and elevated position—consequently the insects' feces fall downward toward the ground and away from their water source—and therefore do not contaminate the insects' water supply.

Abstract: The insect water supply system is configured to prevent the insects (such as crickets) from self-contaminating the water supplied to the insects' rearing enclosure. The system is designed so that the insects drink in an inverted (i.e. upside down) and elevated position—consequently the insects' feces fall downward toward the ground and away from their water source—and therefore do not contaminate the insects' water supply.

Abstract: The system produces beneficial parasites by depositing parasite-infected cadavers adjacent to a filtering device inside an enclosed package. The parasites are then allowed to migrate from the infected cadavers, through the filtering device, and into a parasite-sustaining medium. After the migration is complete, the spent cadavers and the filtering device are removed and the package is closed. In the preferred embodiment, beneficial nematodes migrate through a screen matrix into polyacrylamide gel to create a package of beneficial nematodes.

Abstract: A composition suitable for the preparation of insect diet formulations, containing proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, salts, and lambda carrageenan; the composition contains maltodextrin and no agar. An insect diet formulation, containing the composition described herein and water (room temperature). A method for rearing insects from eggs, involving providing the insect diet formulation described herein and culturing the insects with the insect diet formulation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a taping apparatus for packaging arthropods having been infected with entomopathogenic nematodes wherein the tape forms a continuous line of packaged arthropods. In one embodiment of the invention, the tape formulation has the arthropods Tenebrio molitor, Aethina tumida, or Diaprepes abbreviatus infected with the nematodes of Heterorhabditis indica or Steinernema carpocapsae.

Abstract: Predatory mites contained in an enclosed housing are provided with a continuous food source (i.e. spidermites) so that the healthy adult predatory mites migrate upwards to a collection container at the apex of the housing where a user harvests the predatory mites. The predatory mites are provided with spidermite-infested vegetation disposed in planar trays. The trays are chronologically arranged in a vertical stack within the housing so that as new trays loaded with spidermites are added to the top of the stack, old trays depleted of spidermites are removed from the bottom of the stack. The predatory mites intuitively display negative geotropism and positive phototropism so that the mites naturally move upwards and toward the light. Consequently the predatory mites migrate to the upper trays as new trays are added and eventually reach the collection container at the apex of the housing.

Abstract: The automated insect separation system processes an aggregate mixture of insects and other materials so that selected insects are separated from the other components of the mix. Specifically, the aggregate mix is directed into a separator apparatus so that the mix flows vertically through a series of vibrating screens. In the preferred embodiment, the screening process separates two different sizes of mealworm larvae from the aggregate mixture. The mix includes the mealworm larvae, unconsumed food materials (usually wheat bran), and insect frass.

Abstract: The insect inoculation system and method optimizes the conditions wherein host insect cadavers are infected by a selected parasite. Host insect cadavers are exposed to the selected parasite within the inoculation chamber. The inoculation chamber is configured to optimize the parasite infection and reproduction process. The insect parasites produce multiple offspring which remain in the infected insect cadavers. At the end of the inoculation process, the infected cadavers are removed from the chamber and the insect parasites are harvested and used in bio-pest control processes.

Abstract: Ant foods mixed together in a matrix suitable to be used as baits for ants are provided. This ant matrix is preferred by ants over naturally-occurring foods such as other known ant matrices. It comprises protein, carbohydrate, fat and sterol as ant-preferred nutrients and uric acid as a bait enhancing agent is carried in a unique gel system that is specifically attractive to insects. Methods of controlling ants using such matrices to deliver ant toxins are also provided.

Abstract: Termite bait matrix containing cellulose, calco oil blue V (solvent blue 58 or 9,10-anthracenedione, 1,4-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)amino]), and optionally a termite toxicant (e.g., chitin synthesis inhibitor). Methods of monitoring termite activity in a region involving placing a termite bait matrix in the region and assessing the presence of termites at the site of the termite matrix, the termite bait matrix contains cellulose and 9,10-anthracenedione, 1,4-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)amino]. Methods of killing termites, involving placing a termite bait matrix in a termite habitat and allowing termites to feed on the bait matrix, the termite bait matrix contains cellulose, 9,10-anthracenedione, 1,4-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)amino], and a termite toxicant (e.g., chitin synthesis inhibitor).

Abstract: Nitrogen containing compounds are effective as subterranean termite feeding stimulants/aggregants and as masking agents for concealing the presence of other compounds which are repellents to termites, when they are used in low concentrations, less than or equal to about 1000 ppm (0.1%, by weight). The nitrogen containing compounds may be formulated alone, or optionally in a bait or in combination with other compounds effective for controlling or marking subterranean termites.

Abstract: Ant foods mixed together in a matrix suitable to be used as baits for ants are provided. This ant matrix is preferred by ants over naturally-occurring foods such as other known ant matrices. It comprises protein, carbohydrate, fat and sterol as ant-preferred nutrients and uric acid as a bait enhancing agent is carried in a unique gel system that is specifically attractive to insects. Methods of controlling ants using such matrices to deliver ant toxins are also provided.

Abstract: Ant foods mixed together in a matrix suitable to be used as baits for ants are provided. This ant matrix is preferred by ants over naturally-occurring foods such as other known ant matrices. It comprises protein, carbohydrate, fat and sterol as ant-preferred nutrients and uric acid as a bait enhancing agent is carried in a unique gel system that is specifically attractive to insects. Methods of controlling ants using such matrices to deliver ant toxins are also provided.

Abstract: Nitrogen containing compounds are effective as subterranean termite feeding stimulants/aggregants and as masking agents for concealing the presence of other compounds which are repellents to termites, when they are used in low concentrations, less than or equal to about 1000 ppm (0.1%, by weight). The nitrogen containing compounds may be formulated alone, or optionally in a bait or in combination with other compounds effective for controlling or marking subterranean termites.

Abstract: Nitrogen containing compounds are effective as subterranean termite feeding stimulants/aggregants and as masking agents for concealing the presence of other compounds which are repellents to termites, when they are used in low concentrations, less than or equal to about 1000 ppm (0.1%, by weight). The nitrogen containing compounds may be formulated alone, or optionally in a bait or in combination with other compounds effective for controlling or marking subterranean termites.

Abstract: Ant foods mixed together in a matrix suitable to be used as baits for ants are provided. This ant matrix is preferred by ants over naturally-occurring foods such as other known ant matrices. It comprises protein, carbohydrate, fat and sterol as ant-preferred nutrients and uric acid as a bait enhancing agent is carried in a unique gel system that is specifically attractive to insects. Methods of controlling ants using such matrices to deliver ant toxins are also provided.

Abstract: Low concentrations of gossypol and related phyllophage toxins from cotton improve the effectiveness of insecticidal agents against social insects, including cockroaches, and particularly termites and ants. Levels of gossypol and other cotton phyllophage toxins which are sufficiently low as to be non-biocidal to social insects alone, will significantly increase the control efficacy of other insecticidal agents. Consequently, use of these low levels of these cotton phyllophage toxins allows the levels of insecticidal agents necessary for effectively controlling the insects to be significantly reduced relative to applications without cotton phyllophage toxins. Furthermore, insecticidal agents which are normally ineffective for control of social insects when used alone, may be effective when used in conjunction with the cotton phyllophage toxins.

Abstract: Termite foods mixed together in a matrix suitable to be used as baits and attractants for termites are provided. They comprise cellulose, naphthalenic compounds, water and potentially other termite-preferred nutrients. Methods of monitoring the presence of termites using such matrices and methods of controlling termites using such matrices to deliver termite toxins are also provided.

Abstract: Termite foods mixed together in a matrix suitable to be used as baits and attractants for termites are provided. They comprise cellulose, naphthalenic compounds, water and potentially other termite-preferred nutrients. Methods of monitoring the presence of termites using such matrices and methods of controlling termites using such matrices to deliver termite toxins are also provided.