Insect Production Services

Facilitating research on insect outbreaks and protection tools

The Insect Production Services (IPS) team at the Great Lakes Forestry Centre produces laboratory-reared insects to facilitate research on forest insect outbreaks and on environmentally responsible protection tools.

Established in 1963, IPS comprises four separate facilities:

  • Insectarium
  • Quality control
  • Methods development research
  • Quarantine

The IPS insectarium is the only facility in North America that rears multiple forest insect species and the only one in the world that mass-produces spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana). The insects are produced for use in research and education, and are available for purchase. IPS also maintains an extensive international database of producers and distributors of live insects, mites and nematodes.

IPS has an extensive quality assurance program to ensure the continued availability of insects for its clients. Ongoing research is aimed at developing methods for mass producing insects and techniques for detecting pathogens. IPS researchers also provide contract services, such as establishing new colonies and rearing quarantined insect pests. A separate quarantine facility supports Canadian Forest Service invasive alien species research activities.