Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an automated mass rearing system for insect larvae. The automated mass rearing system can facilitate hatching, feeding, monitoring the growth and emergence of insect larvae and pupae. In some embodiments, the automated mass rearing system can include a production unit, a transportation unit, a storage unit, a dispensing unit, and a monitoring unit. In some embodiments, this automated mass rearing system can facilitate mass mosquito growth from egg hatching all the way through to full adults or certain stages in between such as the larvae rearing process (i.e., from larvae to pupae) with little or no human intervention. By automating the rearing and transportation of insect eggs, larvae, and pupae, deaths or developmental issues can be minimized. Various techniques and apparatuses are used in this automation that causes minimal disturbance to the insects during development, and thereby maximizing survival rate and fitness of the insects.

A continuous sieving apparatus is described. The continuous sieving apparatus includes a sieve surface attached to a wall. A set of openings is formed in the sieve surface so as to define a set of pathways extending through the sieve surface. The set of opening are defined by a length dimension that is greater than a width dimension. An action system is configured to move the sieve surface in one or more directions (e.g., horizontally and vertically). Such movement causes a first pupa having a first cephalothorax width that is less than the width dimension to move through any one of the set of openings, and a second pupa having a second cephalothorax width that is greater than the width dimension to be prevented from moving through the set of openings.

A continuous sieving apparatus is described. The continuous sieving apparatus includes a sieve surface attached to a wall. A set of openings is formed in the sieve surface so as to define a set of pathways extending through the sieve surface. The set of opening are defined by a length dimension that is greater than a width dimension. An action system is configured to move the sieve surface in one or more directions (e.g., horizontally and vertically). Such movement causes a first pupa having a first cephalothorax width that is less than the width dimension to move through any one of the set of openings, and a second pupa having a second cephalothorax width that is greater than the width dimension to be prevented from moving through the set of openings.

Egg laying device for flies, the device comprising:—a fly cage (20) and—a laying nest (50) which is intended to receive the eggs laid by flies which are enclosed in the cage (20), in which device the cage (20) is passed through by at least one egg laying aperture (54) which opens towards the exterior of the cage via an external opening (56), and wherein the laying nest (50) is arranged outside the cage and defines an egg laying zone (52) which extends opposite the external opening (56).

Egg laying device for flies, the device comprising:—a fly cage (20) and—a laying nest (50) which is intended to receive the eggs laid by flies which are enclosed in the cage (20), in which device the cage (20) is passed through by at least one egg laying aperture (54) which opens towards the exterior of the cage via an external opening (56), and wherein the laying nest (50) is arranged outside the cage and defines an egg laying zone (52) which extends opposite the external opening (56).

An apparatus for growing invertebrates, such as arthropods, rheumatoid worms and nematodes is described. The apparatus includes a rotatable casing defining a chamber and at least one growing platform inside said casing. Inside the casing there is a group of first pipes having a pipe wall. The first pipes are configured to act as growing platforms providing growing spaces for the invertebrates. Preferably the number of first pipes is more than three. The first pipes may be immovably attached to the casing.

An apparatus for growing invertebrates, such as arthropods, rheumatoid worms and nematodes is described. The apparatus includes a rotatable casing defining a chamber and at least one growing platform inside said casing. Inside the casing there is a group of first pipes having a pipe wall. The first pipes are configured to act as growing platforms providing growing spaces for the invertebrates. Preferably the number of first pipes is more than three. The first pipes may be immovably attached to the casing.

Compositions and methods for detecting nucleic acid-protein interactions, or more generally interactions between a nucleic acid and another molecule. A Cas protein (e.g., a catalytically dead Cas13) is fused to a proximity tagging enzyme (e.g., a Pup ligase) and thus brings the proximity tagging enzyme to the proximity of a protein that binds to a nucleic acid, when the Cas protein recognizes the nucleic acid, e.g., through a guide RNA. The proximity tagging enzyme then tags the protein enabling it to be identified as a protein that interacts with the nucleic acid.

The present invention relates to a method for generating sterile Zeugodacus scutellata males by emitting an electron beam at a dose of 150 Gy (inclusive) to 250 Gy (exclusive) to pupae of Zeugodacus scutellata and a method for controlling Zeugodacus scutellata by releasing the generated sterile males and normal males at a ratio of 9:1. In the present invention, electron beams are used instead of radioactive beams and suitable doses of electron beams are determined to generate sterile males of domestic native Zeugodacus scutellata. The generated sterile Zeugodacus scutellata males and normal males are released at a ratio of 9:1 to effectively control Zeugodacus scutellata through a sterile insect release technique (SIT).

The present invention relates to a method for generating sterile Zeugodacus scutellata males by emitting an electron beam at a dose of 150 Gy (inclusive) to 250 Gy (exclusive) to pupae of Zeugodacus scutellata and a method for controlling Zeugodacus scutellata by releasing the generated sterile males and normal males at a ratio of 9:1. In the present invention, electron beams are used instead of radioactive beams and suitable doses of electron beams are determined to generate sterile males of domestic native Zeugodacus scutellata. The generated sterile Zeugodacus scutellata males and normal males are released at a ratio of 9:1 to effectively control Zeugodacus scutellata through a sterile insect release technique (SIT).