Tray and Rack systems for Mass larvae Rearing

Tray and rack rearing station
Tray and rack rearing station for larvae

VSI Tray and Rack systems - The requirement for efficient insect mass rearing and especially mosquito mass rearing technology has been one of the major obstacles preventing the large scale application of the Sterile Insect Technique against mosquitoes and other insect pests. Balestrino et al. (2012, 2014) developed and evaluated a larval rearing unit (see literature below) to successfully rear hundred thousands of mosquitoes per rack. The racks are efficiently holding trays with developing larvae for large scale production. The rearing unit is mechanically simple to handle, maintains minimal water temperature variation and negligible water evaporation and allows normal larval development. Racks can be mechanically or manually tilted for efficient collection and cleaning purposes. The close stacking of the trays in the rack and the possibility to tightly line up several racks makes this rearing unit a valid solution for maximal use of the space thus reducing construction, heating and cooling costs. The low amount of labour required to operate the system also reduces labour costs which represent one of the main expenditures in any mass-rearing facility operation.

Please contact us if you require more information or if you are looking for a technical solution for your specific mass rearing facility. 

Tray and RAck system - DetaIls

Images for illustration purposes only, design subject to change without notice

Selected readings on mosquito Tray and rack systems

  • Balestrino, F., M. Q. Benedict, and J. R. L. Gilles. 2012. A New Larval Tray and Rack System for Improved Mosquito Mass Rearing. Journal of Medical Entomology 49:595-605.
  • Balestrino, F., A. Puggioli, J. R. L. Gilles, and R. Bellini. 2014. Validation of a New Larval Rearing Unit for Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Mass Rearing. PLoS ONE 9:e91914.
  • Benedict, M. Q., B. G. Knols, H. C. Bossin, P. I. Howell, E. Mialhe, C. Caceres, and A. S. Robinson. 2009. Colonisation and mass rearing: learning from others. Malaria journal 8:1.