Database of insect, mite and nematode cultures

This database is a comprehensive world-wide listing of producers and distributors who sell or donate live insects, mites or nematodes. It is intended to provide those who need live cultures with current sources and to give registrants the opportunity to expand their client base.

Registrants listed on the database can be sorted according to order, family, genus, scientific name, common name,¹ use category, geographical region of production,² or target pest of biological control agent.

Unlike the live culture catalogues prepared in the past which were difficult to update, this electronic database is designed to ensure validity over the long term. Submissions are screened, e-mail addresses are verified, and registrants are contacted annually to ensure the validity of all contact information and available cultures. Registrants may review their information at any time and submit revisions.

As more is learned about various organisms, taxonomists often move the location of species within the established hierarchical system of nomenclature or revise the system accordingly, resulting in multiple and sometimes disputed classification schemes. To ensure that taxonomy is applied consistently by database registrants, Insect Production Services (IPS) has provided a static comprehensive list of orders for insects, mites and nematodes (although it would be unlikely that there would ever be listings under each order identified).

Thirty-five orders of insects are listed, including the newly identified order Mantophasmatodea. The insect orders Heteroptera and Homoptera are listed separately, although some taxonomists combine them under the name Hemiptera; similarly, the insect orders Mallophaga and Anoplura are listed here separately, rather than combining them under the name Phthiraptera. All mites are identified under the single order name Acari. Twenty-one orders of Nematodes are listed from the classes Secernentea and Adenophorea.

Another feature of the database is the adopt-a-colony program. Registrants who no longer want to maintain one of their colonies can post it for adoption by another establishment that is willing to accept rearing responsibilities.

To post a colony for adoption, contact:
John Dedes
Canadian Forest Service
705-541-5673
insect@nrcan.gc.ca

The more producers and distributors who participate and list their cultures listed, the more useful this database will be. Please tell your colleagues and peers about it.

¹Many common names were provided by the Entomological Society of Canada.

²Geographic region refers to six regional sections identified by the International Organization for Biological Control.