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Published on: October 8, 2021
Environment-host-parasite interactions in mass-reared insects
Pascal Herren1, Helen Hesketh2, Nicolai V Meyling3
1UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BB, UK; Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg, Denmark; Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
Abstract:
The mass production of insects is rapidly expanding globally, supporting multiple industrial needs. However, parasite infections in insect mass-production systems can lower productivity and can lead to devastating losses. High rearing densities and artificial environmental conditions in mass-rearing facilities affect the insect hosts as well as their parasites. Environmental conditions such as temperature, gases, light, vibration, and ionizing radiation can affect productivity in insect mass-production facilities by altering insect development and susceptibility to parasites. This review explores the recent literature on environment-host-parasite interactions with a specific focus on mass-reared insect species. Understanding these complex interactions offers opportunities to optimise environmental conditions for the prevention of infectious diseases in mass-reared insects.
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