How to Increase the Real and How to Increase the Real and Perceived Professionalism of Perceived Professionalism of

Insect Rearing SpecialistsInsect Rearing Specialists

Norm Leppla and Frank DavisNorm Leppla and Frank Davis

University of Florida &Mississippi State University

ProfessionalProfessionalCompetenceCompetence- expert with specialized knowledge - expert with specialized knowledge (education, training, experience, continuous (education, training, experience, continuous improvement)improvement)

DiligenceDiligence- employs knowledge and ability to be highly - employs knowledge and ability to be highly productive (conscientious, effective, efficient)productive (conscientious, effective, efficient)

ResponsiveResponsive- rapidly delivers timely, high quality work - rapidly delivers timely, high quality work (available, receptive, motivated)(available, receptive, motivated)

CollaborativeCollaborative- works well with people (ethical, civil, - works well with people (ethical, civil, enthusiastic)enthusiastic)

IndependentIndependent- manages workload and time (personal - manages workload and time (personal accountability and minimal supervision)accountability and minimal supervision)

AppreciateAppreciated- receives compensation and respect d- receives compensation and respect (valued, admired)(valued, admired)

Respect- real and perceived stature, appreciation, valued for abilities, qualities or achievements 

Rodney DangerfieldRodney Dangerfield

Pioneer Pioneer Rearing Rearing TeamTeam

Cristina Verdu

Agueda Pose

BioNostrum - SpainBioNostrum - Spain

Insect Rearing Insect Rearing ProfessionalsProfessionals

How Do We Increase How Do We Increase Professionalism?Professionalism?  

1.1. Develop written job performance criteria and Develop written job performance criteria and

standards for insect rearing professionalsstandards for insect rearing professionals

2.2. Increase and advance insect rearing continuous Increase and advance insect rearing continuous

education, training and possibly certificationeducation, training and possibly certification

3.3. Improve access to education and training, Improve access to education and training,

specialized information, scientific and technical specialized information, scientific and technical

meetings, and insect rearing networksmeetings, and insect rearing networks

4.4. Provide career paths and incentives for Provide career paths and incentives for

advancement of insect rearing professionalsadvancement of insect rearing professionals

5.5. Treat insect rearing professionals with respect! Treat insect rearing professionals with respect!

How Do We Increase How Do We Increase Professionalism?Professionalism?  

6.6. Improve insect rearing infrastructure, including Improve insect rearing infrastructure, including

facilities, equipment, materials, methods, health facilities, equipment, materials, methods, health

and safety, etc.and safety, etc.

7.7. Establish guidelines for conducting insect Establish guidelines for conducting insect

rearing research and developmentrearing research and development

8.8. Publish insect rearing research and technology Publish insect rearing research and technology

in accessible publications in accessible publications

9.9. Successfully rear and deliver high quality insects Successfully rear and deliver high quality insects

for current and new applicationsfor current and new applications

Position Description for Position Description for Insect Rearing ProfessionalInsect Rearing ProfessionalDemonstrated competence, including continuous Demonstrated competence, including continuous

education, training, and experience in rearing education, training, and experience in rearing

insectsinsects

Knowledge of insect biology, working with insects, Knowledge of insect biology, working with insects,

quarantine and shipping regulations, etc. quarantine and shipping regulations, etc.

Demonstrated ability to dependablyDemonstrated ability to dependably

establish, maintain and improveestablish, maintain and improve

insect colonies while receivinginsect colonies while receiving

minimal supervisionminimal supervision Peter Ebling

Position Description for Position Description for Insect Rearing ProfessionalInsect Rearing ProfessionalDemonstrated ability and willingness to Demonstrated ability and willingness to communicate verbally and in writingcommunicate verbally and in writing

Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration in Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration in rearing insects and providing them along rearing insects and providing them along with information and customer supportwith information and customer support

Commitment to advancing the field of insect Commitment to advancing the field of insect rearing science rearing science

Education and TrainingEducation and TrainingApprentice in an insectaryApprentice in an insectary

Network with other professionalsNetwork with other professionals

Literature plus trial and errorLiterature plus trial and error

Visit other insectariesVisit other insectaries

Reviews by expertsReviews by experts

Education and training programs Education and training programs

http://insectdiets.com/

Insect Rearing Education Insect Rearing Education and Research Program and Research Program North Carolina State North Carolina State

UniversityUniversity

Allen Cohen

Insect Rearing WorkshopMississippi State

University

John Schneider

Frank Davis

John Schneider

http://www.irc.entomology.msstate.edu/

Certificates (non-degree)• Urban Pest Management• Landscape Pest Management• Pest Control Technology

Potential for Certification Potential for Certification in Insect Rearingin Insect Rearing

• Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management• Environmental Policy and Management• Latin American Studies• Tropical Agriculture

Network with Network with ProfessionalsProfessionals

Insectary Managers (35 Members)

This network is open to anyone associated with the mass rearing of insects for research projects, control programs, or other purposes.

Network with Network with ProfessionalsProfessionals

Purpose: to facilitate and Purpose: to facilitate and advance cost-effective advance cost-effective rearing of high quality rearing of high quality insects and other arthropods insects and other arthropods (now also nematodes) in (now also nematodes) in support of biological control support of biological control and integrated pest and integrated pest managementmanagement

http://www.amrqc.orghttp://www.amrqc.org

International International OrganizationOrganization

forfor BiologicalBiological Control Control

Network with Network with ProfessionalsProfessionals

Career Paths for Insect Career Paths for Insect Rearing ProfessionalsRearing Professionals

•Biology•Fine Arts•Plant Pathology•Agronomy•Animal Science•Microbiology•Entomology•Marketing•Food Science•Agribusiness•Horticulture•Apiculture•Wildlife Mgmt.•Biochemistry

2011 Class

Education

Experience

Career Paths for Insect Career Paths for Insect Rearing ProfessionalsRearing Professionals

Pest ManagementPest Management

State and local governmentState and local government

National governmentNational government

International governmentInternational government

Private sectorPrivate sector

Insects and ProductsInsects and Products

Display and releaseDisplay and release

Chemical products and Chemical products and processesprocesses

Research and educationResearch and education

Ru Nguyen

Guidelines for Rearing Guidelines for Rearing ResearchResearch

Significant problem warranting researchSignificant problem warranting research

Appropriate experimental design and methodsAppropriate experimental design and methods

Repeatable using clearly described methodsRepeatable using clearly described methods

Results significant and conclusive, complete life Results significant and conclusive, complete life

cycle? More than one generation?cycle? More than one generation?

Appropriate quantitative (statistical) methodsAppropriate quantitative (statistical) methods

Manuscript prepared properly- narrative, tables, Manuscript prepared properly- narrative, tables,

figures, references, and reviewfigures, references, and review

How to Increase the Real How to Increase the Real and Perceived and Perceived

Professionalism of Insect Professionalism of Insect Rearing Specialists Rearing Specialists

Competent

Diligent

Responsive

Collaborative

Independent

AppreciatedJose Parra