Controlled environment chambers for rearing insects

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Diseases have impacts on some natural insect populations such as western tent caterpillars that experience epizootics of viral disease at peak population densities. Insect diseases have also been developed as microbial pest controls and the most widely used of these is the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). In the field, disease epizootics persist for a short time and selection on populations is relaxed as densities decline In agricultural situations, where microbial control is used, strong selection can result in the development of resistance. Our research has been directed at determining the genetic and physiological basis of resistance that we have found in populations of cabbage loopers, major pests of green house grown vegetables. In addition we are exploring the immune responses that allow insects to potentially overcome infection in the field.