Optimization of a New Technique in Mass-Rearing of Insects Used in Biological Control of Important Pests

In the mass rearing of parasitoid wasps used in the biological control of important crop pests, the method for producing hosts, especially moths, is essential. Nowadays, in the insectarium, collecting of moths reared in covers is carried by laborers and due to the scattering of moths' scales, respiratory problems are created for them. In this project, the traditional collection was replaced with a mechanized method, and a system consisting of two blower air transfer paths was designed and implemented on the insect preservation enclosure. So that with creating the air flow blown from the top of the cover and suction flow in the cover base, which is also used as air conveyor, insects are directed to the collecting container. Also, some arrangements were considered for uniformity of airflow distribution, flow rate control, and so on. The modeling was performed using the computational fluid dynamics method to study the fluid flow and estimate the air velocity. Since geometry changes in this type of simulation are simple, it is possible to examine various laboratory conditions before testing. In assessing the performance of the machine and investigating the amount of eggs laid by moths automatically collected, there was no significant difference between the new method and the traditional method. It indicated that the new method did not have a negative effect on the moth’s oviposition. Considering the implementation of the system, the development and optimization of this method are investigable for several interconnected covers. This technique can increase laborers’ health and facilitation so development of biological control and, consequently reduction of chemical pesticides.