Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer operated Insect Production Superstructure Systems (IPSS) may be used to produce insects for human and animal consumption, and for the extraction and use of lipids for applications involving medicine, nanotechnology, consumer products, and chemical production with minimal water, feedstock, and environmental impact. An IPSS may comprise modules including feedstock mixing, enhanced feedstock splitting, insect feeding, insect breeding, insect collection, insect grinding, pathogen removal, multifunctional flour mixing, liquid mixing, shaping, cooking, flavoring, biocatalyst mixing, exoskeleton separation, liquid separation, and lipid extraction. An IPSS may be configured to be constructed out of a plurality of containerized modules.

Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer operated Insect Production Superstructure Systems (IPSS) may be used to produce insects for human and animal consumption, and for the extraction and use of lipids for applications involving medicine, nanotechnology, consumer products, and chemical production with minimal water, feedstock, and environmental impact. An IPSS may comprise modules including feedstock mixing, enhanced feedstock splitting, insect feeding, insect breeding, insect collection, insect grinding, pathogen removal, multifunctional flour mixing, liquid mixing, shaping, cooking, flavoring, biocatalyst mixing, exoskeleton separation, liquid separation, and lipid extraction. An IPSS may be configured to be constructed out of a plurality of containerized modules.

Compounds, compositions, methods, materials, and transgenic animals for antihelmintic purposes are described.

A device for sorting insects into two or more classes based on size, the device comprising a drum with openings along the circumference. The insects are introduced to the drum at a first end, and the openings are sized to allow a first class of the insects to exit the drum through the circumference and the openings while the second class is retained to travel to far end of the drum, thereby sorting the insects into the classes. The drum may be held at a tilt to enable flow within the drum. The drum may rotate and a built in helix or helical screw may assist with flow. Water may be poured from above or from inside to flush insects through the openings or flush stuck insects back into the interior.

A device for sorting insects into two or more classes based on size, the device comprising a drum with openings along the circumference. The insects are introduced to the drum at a first end, and the openings are sized to allow a first class of the insects to exit the drum through the circumference and the openings while the second class is retained to travel to far end of the drum, thereby sorting the insects into the classes. The drum may be held at a tilt to enable flow within the drum. The drum may rotate and a built in helix or helical screw may assist with flow. Water may be poured from above or from inside to flush insects through the openings or flush stuck insects back into the interior.

In one example, a portion of a shell includes a shell wall portion that has an interior wall portion and an exterior wall portion located near the interior wall portion. In addition, fluid passageways are disposed between the interior wall portion and the exterior wall portion. One or more of the fluid passageways are defined in part by one or both of the interior wall portion and the exterior wall portion. The fluid passageways form part of heat exchanger that is integrated in the shell.

A device keeps ants out of a feeder for flying creatures, such as hummingbirds. The feeder is adapted to be held above the ground by a supporting member. The device may include an annular vessel, fillable by a fluid, such as water. The annular vessel can surround the supporting member, below the feeder, for instance on the ground. The feeder may thus be disposed to be visible from a window or above a wall, while the annular vessel is below a sill of the window or the top of the wall. The annular vessel is designed to be passed over the supporting member, when the feeder is not attached.

A device keeps ants out of a feeder for flying creatures, such as hummingbirds. The feeder is adapted to be held above the ground by a supporting member. The device may include an annular vessel, fillable by a fluid, such as water. The annular vessel can surround the supporting member, below the feeder, for instance on the ground. The feeder may thus be disposed to be visible from a window or above a wall, while the annular vessel is below a sill of the window or the top of the wall. The annular vessel is designed to be passed over the supporting member, when the feeder is not attached.

The present invention provides a novel class of insecticides for control of disease vector insects, particularly mosquitoes. These insecticides prevent maturation or development of larvae into adult insects using interfering RNA (iRNA). The present invention further includes compositions comprising iRNA and methods of controlling, reducing, or treating an insect infestation with the iRNA or compositions described herein.

A method for obtaining cochineal wax is provided which comprises (a) harvesting cochineal insects from an artificial medium inoculated with the insects; (b) extracting cochineal wax from the insects with a liquid medium; and (c) isolating cochineal wax from the liquid medium.