Review: Insect diseases in mass production systems: Risks, prevention, diagnostics and management

The field of insect pathology, which is the study of insect diseases, serves two primary applied purposes. Firstly, it aims to manipulate these diseases in order to control pest insect populations using natural enemies, a practice known as biological control. Secondly, it seeks to better protect beneficial insects from diseases. This review focuses on the latter purpose. Historically, research was limited to studies involving the two main domesticated insects, the honeybee and the silkworm. Today, crickets, beetles and flies are being mass-produced for a variety of additional uses including food and feed. These insects are now considered the new livestock and as such, producers are concerned with maintaining their health. This review describes the main pathogen types associated with these insects and their transmission routes. It also discusses additional risks associated with insect diseases in mass production systems and how new and future technologies might help producers manage and protect their livestock throughout their development.