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:
1. Maintaining competitive fitness and quality control in mass-rearing programs
2. Mass production for sterile insect technique (SIT) and autocidal control.
3. Challenges and advancements in mass-rearing commercial arthropods and nematodes.
4. Advancements in mass-rearing technology for rearing arthropods and nematodes.
5. Mass-rearing insects for a wide range of specific purposes (insects for food/feed, weed biocontrol).
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
Program
Program Subject to Change MONDAY, MARCH 1 Session 1 (1:00–5:00 PM) Maintaining Competitive Fitness and Quality Control in MassRearing Programs. Welcome and Introduction 1:00 – 1:10 PM Keynote Speaker (1:10–1:40 PM)Richard Stouthamer. Professor Emeritus, University of California – Riverside, Riverside, CA USA. Session Talks (1:40-3:00 PM) Break (3:00 -3:20 PM) Session Talks (3:20 – 5:00…
MoreAbstract 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
Please find details of the sponsorship options in the text below. Custom packages of any amount can also be discussed between the organizers and the company requesting them. Inquire with our meeting organizers to create your own exposure package! Local Arrangements Aurora Ledesma, ARBICO Organics, Tucson, Arizona USA : aurora@arbico.com Program Lynn LeBeck, ANBP, Clovis,…
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