16th Workshop IOBC-MRQA Work Group
Innovations in Rearing High-Quality Invertebrates
Joint meeting of the MRQA and the Association of Natural Biocontrol Producers (ANBP)
March 1-5, 2027
Tucson, Arizona USA
We are pleased to announce tentative dates for the 16th Workshop of the IOBC Global Working Group on Mass Rearing & Quality Assurance (MRQA). It will be in Tucson, Arizona USA during the first week of March 2027.
The workshop objective is to explore opportunities for advancing the rearing of high quality entomophagous and phytophagous insects and mites, entomopathogenic nematodes, and other invertebrates for plant and animal pest management, human and animal food, and a variety of other uses. The program will consist of symposia on current “Hot topics,” invited and submitted presentations, and posters on selected aspects of invertebrate rearing and quality assurance as they relate to production and quality control. Presentations will serve as a basis for discussion and exchange, with the final aim of improving collaboration among scientists and practitioners. Accommodation for remote presentations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The program will include sessions on:
- Mass rearing and evaluating biological control agents for pests
- Mass rearing for SIT and other autocidal pest control
- Methods for assessing the quality of biological control products
- Mass rearing insects for food and feed
- Mass rearing and evaluating pollinators
- Open session on rearing invertebrates
Additional suggestions are welcome. A technical visit will be organized in cooperation with ARBICO and the University of Arizona.
The next announcement will provide more information on how to submit an abstract, student early career travel awards, registration, and more.
Looking forward to meeting you in Tucson! See what Tucson, Arizona has to offer!
Contacts
For queries regarding the meeting and more, please contact:
Program
Lynn LeBeck
Association of Natural Biocontrol Producers ARBICO Organics
Clovis, California
exdir@anbp.org
Local Arrangements
Aurora Ledesma
ARBICO Organics
aurora@arbico.com
USA Tucson, Arizona USA
Abstract Submission
Abstract Submission Details for Talks and Posters and Student and Early Career Professional travel awards Abstract submission now open. Instructions for abstracts Those who wish to present a paper or a poster are invited to submit an abstract before November 2nd, 2026. Abstracts will be evaluated for significance and appropriateness for the Working Group mission…
MoreVenue • Hotels • Travel
Lodging The meeting will take place in Tucson, AZ, at The El Conquistador Hotel, El Conquistador Tucson. We do not have a room block and participants are expected to make their own reservations. For those not wishing to stay at the conference hotel, there are many other nearby hotel options. A variety of these lodging…
MoreSocial Events & Guest Program
The Workshop will include social hours, a Wednesday afternoon trip to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, and a Thursday evening banquet. Guests of attendees can register under that category to join us for these events. See the Registration Page.
MoreTourist Attractions
There is so much to see and do in the Tucson area. Our Venue – Hotel – Travel page has some links to consider, but we will post more information here soon. In the meantime, contact our Event Coordinators with any specific questions!
MoreSponsors
16th Workshop of the IOBC–MRQA Working Group Innovations in Rearing of High-Quality Invertebrates March 1-5, 2027 Tucson, Arizona USA Sponsorships Please find details of the sponsorship options in the text below. Custom packages can also be discussed between the organiser and the company requesting them.
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