The University of Saskatchewan’s New Insect Research Facility

In April, The University of Saskatchewan unveiled the first quarantine-capable insect research facility, the University of Saskatchewan Insect Research Facility (USIRF), in a western Canadian university.

The 500-foot-insect space is located in the Agriculture Building on the Saskatoon campus.

The facility is equipped with operational and mechanical safeguards to secure species and pathogens from release and cross-contamination, as well as climate-controlled chambers for insects, infested plants, and an experiment space.

Designed to adhere to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Plant Protection Containment Level-2A requirements, researchers study non-native insects and pathogens to understand insect ecology, deduce food security risks, develop methods of managing insects to predict pest outbreaks, minimize pesticide use, test pest-resistant crop species, aid in environmental initiatives, and bolster Canadian agriculture.

The facility was funded by the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) as part of the Capacity Initiative, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, and The University of Saskatchewan.