The Basics of Insect Rearing in Four Weeks

This program covers the essential principles for raising and breeding insects in controlled environments, with a focus on insect diets and the role of environmental factors in rearing quality and stability.

Looking beyond the basics, the course delves into advanced topics such as genetics and epigenetics, offering a comprehensive perspective on insect rearing systems. Over six weeks, you’ll experience a blended learning model featuring live Zoom sessions paired with rich Moodle-based resources designed to boost engagement, comprehension and retention.

Earn up to 2.4 CEUs by completing the live sessions — a valuable credential for professionals in entomology and related fields.

What You’ll Learn

> Best practices for insect care and breeding
> The impact of nutrition and environmental factors on rearing outcomes
> How genetics and epigenetics influence insect development
> The role of microbial interactions in rearing systems
> Practical strategies to improve insectary quality and efficiency

With interactive lectures, timely content, self-paced resources and responsive Q & A sessions, the course is structured to reinforce both core concepts and complex details for real-world application.

Who Should Enroll

• Entomologists and biologists
• Pest control professionals (including IAEA personnel)
• Insect breeders and garden hobbyists
• Anyone involved in insect farming, from beginner to expert

If you’re new to insect care or aiming to refine your skills, this course offers critical insights into all aspects of insect rearing. The comprehensive curriculum is designed for anyone involved in insect breeding and farming, from novices to experienced practitioners.

Participants will gain a deep understanding of the complexities involved in rearing organization, including insect biology, feeding habits in relation to insectary quality, physiological ecology in a rearing framework, diet chemistry and physics, and microbial interactions in rearing systems.

Meet Your Instructor

Research Professor Allen Carson Cohen, a renowned expert in insect rearing and author of “Insect Diets: Science and Technology,” was instrumental in establishing insect rearing workshops at Mississippi State University. He later conducted similar workshops in Arizona and at North Carolina State University. In 2011, he advanced his vision for the discipline by launching the Insect Rearing Education and Research Program (IREaR) at NC State University. Allen Carson Cohen has also been teaching on-site insect rearing classes at NC State University, contributing significantly to the field.

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