Concepts and methods of quality assurance for mass-reared parasitoids and predators

This talk will describe the importance of quality assurance in the marketplace, especially customer involvement in determining specifications and standards for arthropod products.  It will provide a complete quality assurance system with functions for management, methods development, material, production, research, utilization, personnel, and quality control.  Published quality assessments of mass-reared natural enemies will be reviewed, along with minimum requirements for quality assurance and control data acquisition and analysis.  The information will include a general structure for conducting a quality assurance system review, along with examples of the type of research needed to advance quality assessment for mass-reared parasitoids and predators.