Abstract: One example insect release device includes a vessel defining a volume, the vessel has first and second surfaces substantially opposite each other, the first surface defining an opening into the volume; a population of insect larvae or pupae or adult insects within the volume; and a seal positioned to obstruct the opening and adhered to the first surface. Another example insect release device includes a vessel defining a volume; a population of insect larvae or pupae or adult insects disposed within the volume; wherein the vessel is permanently sealed, and wherein release of the insect larvae or pupae or adult insects occurs upon rupture of the vessel. A further example insect release device includes a vessel defining a volume; a population of insects disposed within the volume; and a gimbal mechanism coupled to the vessel, the gimbal configured to maintain a substantially constant orientation of the vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transporting live insects are disclosed. One example system includes a flexible pressure vessel defining an inner volume and including a sealable opening. The inner volume and the sealable opening are sized to receive an insect container receptacle. The flexible pressure vessel is inflatable. The system further includes a first insect container receptacle including one or more insect container openings configured to receive one or more insect transportation containers, in which the first insect container receptacle is sized to fit within the inner volume and the one or more insect transportation containers are configured to retain numerous live insects.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for dynamic release planning for insect release. One example method includes receiving information indicating a population of wild insects within a geographic region; determining a number of wild insects per unit area within the geographic region; placing, based on the number of wild insects per unit area, one or more insect release points based on the number of wild insects per unit area, each insect release point indicating a release of a predefined quantity of insects; and generating an insect release route through the geographic region, the insect release route passing through each insect release point.

Abstract: One example insect release device includes a vessel defining a volume, the vessel has first and second surfaces substantially opposite each other, the first surface defining an opening into the volume; a population of insect larvae or pupae or adult insects within the volume; and a seal positioned to obstruct the opening and adhered to the first surface. Another example insect release device includes a vessel defining a volume; a population of insect larvae or pupae or adult insects disposed within the volume; wherein the vessel is permanently sealed, and wherein release of the insect larvae or pupae or adult insects occurs upon rupture of the vessel. A further example insect release device includes a vessel defining a volume; a population of insects disposed within the volume; and a gimbal mechanism coupled to the vessel, the gimbal configured to maintain a substantially constant orientation of the vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transporting live insects in a secure and environmentally controlled manner. The systems include containers and packaging for transporting the live insects at a controlled temperature and pressure.

Abstract: An insect container for transportation of live insects including a first and second container portion. The first and second container portions are configured to be coupled together to enclose a volume. Each of the first and second container portions include a backing plate defining a set of vent holes. The backing plate is rotatable when the insect container is in an open configuration. Each of the first and second container portions include a wall defining a container perimeter and including a non-rotating coupling feature, in which the backing plate and the wall together define a cavity. The non-rotating coupling features of the first and second container portions enable the container portions to couple together to fully enclose a volume to prevent relative rotation of the first and second container portions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating insect classifications using predictive models based on sequences of images are disclosed. An example system includes an imaging device configured to capture images of insects and a computing device in communication with the imaging device. The computing device is configured to instruct the imaging device to capture a sequence of images depicting at least a portion of an insect. The computing device is further configured to use a first predictive model to determine a first output corresponding to a first classification of a first image of the sequence of images, the first output including a confidence measure of the first classification. The computing device is further configured to generate classification information based at least in part on the first output.

Abstract: An insect sortation system is disclosed. The insect sortation system includes a pathway having a first end and a second end; a first outlet extending from the pathway adjacent to the second end; a second outlet extending from the pathway adjacent to the second end; a detector disposed adjacent to the pathway and configured to detect one or more characteristics of mosquitos passing by the detector; a shutter disposed within the pathway between the detector and the second end of the pathway; and one or more sortation devices configured to direct each mosquito of the mosquitos to at least one of the first outlet or the second outlet after passing by the detector.

Abstract: A device comprises a dispenser assembly comprising a frame having a first surface and a second surface. The frame defines a pathway, an inlet opening in the first surface of the frame and a drain opening in the second surface of the frame. The inlet opening and the drain opening may provide access to the pathway. The device also includes a moveable member having at least one bore oriented perpendicular to the pathway. The moveable member may be is translatable within the pathway between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: Insects can be classified into a category (e.g., sex category, species category, size category, etc.) using a variety of different classification approaches including, for example, an industrial vision classifier and/or a machine learning classifier. At least some classification approaches may be used in real-time to make real-time decisions and others can be used to validate earlier-made real-time decisions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an automated mass rearing system for insect larvae. The automated mass rearing system can facilitate hatching, feeding, monitoring the growth and emergence of insect larvae and pupae. In some embodiments, the automated mass rearing system can include a production unit, a transportation unit, a storage unit, a dispensing unit, and a monitoring unit. In some embodiments, this automated mass rearing system can facilitate mass mosquito growth from egg hatching all the way through to full adults or certain stages in between such as the larvae rearing process (i.e., from larvae to pupae) with little or no human intervention. By automating the rearing and transportation of insect eggs, larvae, and pupae, deaths or developmental issues can be minimized. Various techniques and apparatuses are used in this automation that causes minimal disturbance to the insects during development, and thereby maximizing survival rate and fitness of the insects.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for dynamic release planning for insect release. One example method includes receiving information indicating a population of wild insects within a geographic region; determining a number of wild insects per unit area within the geographic region; placing, based on the number of wild insects per unit area, one or more insect release points based on the number of wild insects per unit area, each insect release point indicating a release of a predefined quantity of insects; and generating an insect release route through the geographic region, the insect release route passing through each insect release point.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transporting live insects in a secure and environmentally controlled manner. The systems include containers and packaging for transporting the live insects at a controlled temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Insect storage and dispensing system are described. An example system may include a dispensing container including at least one wall defining an interior volume for retaining a plurality of adult insects. The system may also include a piston that extends through a first opening of the dispensing container so as to expose a top face of the piston to the interior volume. Longitudinal movement of the piston toward a second opening of the dispensing container may dispense a portion of the plurality of insects from the dispensing container when the plurality of insects is retained in the dispensing container.

Abstract: An insect dispensing system is described. The insect dispensing system includes a plate diverting structure supported by a frame. A first plate of the structure includes a set of channels and a second plate of the structure includes a set of apertures. The plates are aligned such that one end of each channel is aligned with one of the apertures. A population of insect pupae suspended in a liquid is dispensed into the set of channels via an inlet. As the liquid flows through the system, it is distributed among the set of channels, ultimately exiting via the apertures into a set of catch basins.

Abstract: An insect sortation system includes a first puff system in a puff-back region for moving insects toward an inlet of an insect pathway and a second puff system in a puff-forward region for moving insects toward an outlet of the pathway. The first puff system is configured to singulate the insects. The second puff system is configured to sort the insects.

Abstract: An insect separating apparatus may include a sensor positioned to detect one or more insects when present within a test chamber. For example, the sensor may emit signals into the test chamber and receive reflected signals indicative of Doppler shifts caused by movement of the one or more insects. Based on information from the sensor, a computing device may determine a characteristic of the one or more insects in the chamber, such as a wing beat frequency, sex, or other characteristic. The computing device may instruct different responses based on the characteristic determined, such as activating an air mover to divert detected mosquitos out of the test chamber in response to the determined characteristics matching those of female mosquitos, or deactivating or maintaining the air mover in an inactive condition in response to the determined characteristics matching those of male mosquitos, for example, to allow passage through the chamber into a collection receptacle.

Abstract: A device comprises a dispenser assembly comprising a frame having a first surface and a second surface. The frame defines a pathway, an inlet opening in the first surface of the frame and a drain opening in the second surface of the frame. The inlet opening and the drain opening may provide access to the pathway. The device also includes a moveable member having at least one bore oriented perpendicular to the pathway. The moveable member may be translatable within the pathway between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: One example method includes receiving information indicating a population of wild insects within a geographic region; determining a number of wild insects per unit area within the geographic region; placing, based on the number of wild insects per unit area, one or more insect release points based on the number of wild insects per unit area, each insect release point indicating a release of a predefined quantity of insects; and generating an insect release route through the geographic region, the insect release route passing through each insect release point.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an automated mass rearing system for insect larvae. The automated mass rearing system can facilitate hatching, feeding, monitoring the growth and emergence of insect larvae and pupae. In some embodiments, the automated mass rearing system can include a production unit, a transportation unit, a storage unit, a dispensing unit, and a monitoring unit. In some embodiments, this automated mass rearing system can facilitate mass mosquito growth from egg hatching all the way through to full adults or certain stages in between such as the larvae rearing process (i.e., from larvae to pupae) with little or no human intervention. By automating the rearing and transportation of insect eggs, larvae, and pupae, deaths or developmental issues can be minimized. Various techniques and apparatuses are used in this automation that causes minimal disturbance to the insects during development, and thereby maximizing survival rate and fitness of the insects.