Patent Publication Number: US-2020296920-A1

Title: Insect storage and release

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/820,228, titled “Insect Storage and Release”, filed Mar. 18, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/925,328, titled “Insect Storage and Release”, filed Oct. 24, 2019, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Insects, especially those reared in a laboratory, may require transportation between various stations within the laboratory and to different locations outside of the laboratory. Depending on the stage of development of the insects, different means of transportation may be appropriate. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Various examples are described relating to devices, systems, and methods for insect storage and release. 
     One general aspect includes an insect storage and release device, including: a bottom, a top flange, and a perimeter wall that connects the bottom and the top flange, where the perimeter wall and the bottom form a cylinder that defines a cylindrical interior volume for receiving a population of insects, and where an opening is formed in the top flange. The insect storage and release device also includes a population of insects disposed within the interior volume. The insect storage and release device also includes a lid sized and configured to enclose the opening and prevent the population of insects from exiting the cylinder. 
     Another general aspect includes a system, including: a bottom section including a plurality of insect sections, each insect section including an insect compartment, each insect compartment including at least one live insect. The system also includes a lid that extends over and encloses each insect compartment. The lid is configured for individual access to each insect compartment. 
     Another general aspect includes a method of compressing insects, including: loading an insect container into a retainer. The method of also includes adding a population of insects to an interior volume of a compression device. The method also includes adding a foam section to the interior volume of the compression device. The method also includes compressing the interior volume of the compression device and transferring the population of insects and the foam section to the insect container. 
     Another general aspect includes an insect rearing device, including: a pouch in which is formed a pocket. The insect rearing device also includes a first duct connected to a first side of the pocket and extending in a first direction. The first duct is configured to retain an aqueous solution, larvae insect food, and one or more insect larvae. The insect rearing device also includes a second duct connected to a second side of the pocket and extending in a second direction, the second duct configured to retain adult insect food. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more certain examples and, together with the description of the example, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the certain examples. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release device, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release device, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release device including a first quantity of insects, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release device including a second quantity of insects, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release device including a first lid configuration, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release device including a second lid configuration, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release device including a third lid configuration, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a side sectional view of an insect compression device for loading insects into an insect storage and release device, according at least one example. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a side sectional view of the insect compression device of  FIG. 5A , according at least one example. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates various views of an insect storage and release device, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates various views of an insect storage system, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage system, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a perspective view of an insect rearing and storage device, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates side section views of insect loading and storage systems, according to various examples. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates perspective views of an insect loading and storage system, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of an insect release system, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of an insect release system, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of an insect release system, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 14A  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release system, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 14B  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release system, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a perspective view of a mounting structure for retaining the insect storage and release system of  FIG. 14B , according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release system, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release system, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates perspective views of an insect storage and release system, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release system, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates perspective views of an insect storage and release system, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a graph depicting an insect packing curve, according to at least one example. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a flow chart showing a process for compressing insects into a fixed volume, according to at least one example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Examples are described herein in the context of storage of adult stage insects, and in particular adult stage mosquitoes. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. For example, the techniques described herein can be used to store mosquitoes in other stages of development and/or other insects. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of examples as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or like items. 
     In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the examples described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. 
     As part of a sterile insect technique (SIT) program or otherwise, it is desirable to release known quantities of sterile insects into a target environment. The systems and devices described herein are used to load, store, and transport known quantities of such sterile insects in easy-to-use single-use or reusable containers. Each container may hold as few as one insect or can be scaled to hold hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, or even more insects. To increase density, in some applications, insects are compressed as they are loaded into containers. 
     Sheets or rolls of containers, which may include multiple containers, may be produced, loaded, and sent for distribution. Using sheets or rolls of containers enables “dosing” selection in which set numbers of containers can be opened and released. The containers described herein may be shipped to end users for release. For example, a homeowner participating in a SIT program may receive, in the mail or otherwise, a package of containers including a set number of insects and instructions for releasing the insects (e.g., release one container per day for a week). The homeowner may be responsible for opening the containers and releasing the insects. For example, for a typical yard, about two containers of 1000 mosquitoes may be opened each week. 
     Turning now to a particular example, a single-use insect storage and release device includes a cup having a cylindrical shape, and a cap. The insect storage and release device is configured to hold a compressed quantity of insects within an interior volume of the cup. To load the insect storage and release device, the cup is placed into a retainer of a loading device with an opening of the cup facing up. A barrel of a syringe is loaded with a reticulated foam wafer that has a diameter about equal to a cross-sectional area of the opening. A quantity of insects is then loaded into the barrel. With the foam wafer and insects in the barrel, a structure supporting the barrel is used to align the barrel with the cup in the retainer. Once aligned, a plunger of the syringe is used to push the insects via the foam into the interior volume of the cup, thereby compressing the insects beneath the foam. Once foam has passed into the interior volume, loading concludes. The cap may then be placed on the cup to keep the insects and the foam from escaping the interior volume. The cap and/or the cup may include small perforations or slits to provide ventilation for the insects within the interior volume. 
     This illustrative example is given to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein and the disclosure is not limited to this example. The following sections describe various additional non-limiting examples of insect storage and release systems. 
     Turning now to the Figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release device  100 , according to at least one example. The insect storage and release device  100  may be used to store various quantities of insects (e.g., adult mosquitoes) in a compressed or non-compressed state. The insect storage and release device  100  may be sufficiently rigid to enable transportation of the insects between various locations (e.g., from an insect factory to a field delivery location). The insect storage and release device  100  may be designed for single use. For example, after the insects have been loaded into the insect storage and release device  100 , as described elsewhere herein, and transported to a delivery location, a lid on the insect storage and release device  100  may be removed to free the insects from the insect storage and release device  100 . In some examples, the insect storage and release device  100  may be adapted for use in automated delivery systems. For example, the insect storage and release device  100  may be loaded into a blower system that, once the lid has been opened, removes the insects using an airstream. 
     The insect storage and release device  100 , which is illustrated with a top portion resting on a surface, includes a top flange  102 , a bottom  104 , and a side wall  106  that together define an interior volume  110 , which may be referred to as an insect compartment. The side wall  106  may be around 20 mm tall and the interior volume may have a diameter of around 20 mm. In some examples, the side wall may be greater than or less than 20 mm tall and the diameter may be greater than or less than 20 mm. The dimensions of the side wall and diameter may be selected based on a quantity of insects to store in the insect storage and release device  100  and a packing density for the insects (e.g., a quantity of insects per volume). In some examples, other factors, which may relate to packing density or otherwise, such as a mortality rate (e.g., a percentage of insects that die during packing and/or transport) may also be considered. 
     The insect storage and release device  100  has a cylindrical form factor, but other form factors such as rectangular, bulbous, and those corresponding to other shapes are also possible. The bottom  104  includes a perforated section  108 . The perforated section  108  includes small slits, cuts, holes, or other perforations to enable air flow into and out of the interior volume  110 . This allows air transfer between the interior volume  110  and outside the insect storage and release device  100 . A lid such as one described with reference to later figures is used to seal an opening formed where the top flange  102  and an upper edge of side wall  106  intersect. 
     The illustrated insect storage and release device  100  is formed from a thermoformable plastic. However, other materials may be employed such as foil, paper, compostable products, rubbers, silicone/urethane, foam, 3D printed resin and filament, insect food (e.g., sucrose, bread, etc.). In some examples, the material used may be color coded to signify a characteristic such as volume of the container or quantity of insects held therein. The material may also be tinted (e.g., tinted plastic), UV protected (e.g., UV protected plastic), and have color-changing properties. 
     The insect storage and release device  100  may also be loaded with food (e.g., sugar water, sugar capsule, etc.). In some examples, the sugar water mixture is placed on the opposite side of the perforated section  108  and/or included in a foam wafer placed in the insect storage and release device  100 . 
     In some examples, the insect storage and release device  100  is loaded directly from an insect sortation system. The insect sortation system may be configured to singulate and sort insects based on predefined characteristic (e.g., sex, species, size, etc.). Once singulated, the insects can be blown, driven, or otherwise loaded into the insect storage and release devices  100  from a singulation pathway of the insect sortation system. In some examples, insects from the singulation pathway are loaded into a holding chamber, and the insects are loaded from the holding chamber into the insect storage and release device  100 . Whether using a singulation system or otherwise, the insect storage and release device  100  may be used to store insects of a particular characteristic (e.g., all male insects, all female insects, etc.). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release device  200 , according to at least one example. The insect storage and release device  200  is an example of the insect storage and release device  100 . The insect storage and release device  200  includes a foam section  212 . A cylindrical portion of the foam section  212  extends into the interior volume  210 , while a rectangular portion of the foam section  212  extends along the a top flange  202  of the insect storage and release device  200 . The foam section  212 , in this example, may form a lid for enclosing the interior volume  210 . Unlike the insect storage and release device  100 , the insect storage and release device  200  does not include a perforated section within bottom  204  or side wall  206 . Instead, air flow is introduced into and out of the interior volume  210  via the foam section  212 . In some examples, a lid is also used to seal the opening to the interior volume  210  (e.g., along the top flange  202 ). For example, the lid may be provided and formed of aluminum foil, plastic, or other material. In some examples, the lid may include a perforate section to enable airflow via the lid and the foam section  212 . In some examples, the insect storage and release device  200  also includes a perforated section (e.g., when the lid forms an airtight seal). 
     The illustrated foam section  212  is a reticulated foam. However, any other open cell foam, silicone, plastic, or other material capable of being compressed similarly to such open-cell foams, etc. may be employed in place of the reticulated foam. The foam section  212  may be soaked in food, such as sugar water, for insects within the interior volume  210 . In some examples, the interior volume  210  of the insect storage and release device  200  (and any other insect storage and release device described herein) is loaded with insect food such as a piece of fruit, sugar water, and any other such food. In other examples, food is supplied to insects within the insect storage and release device  200  (or within any other insect storage and release device) through openings in the bottom  204 , the side wall  206 , and/or the lid when these openings contact the food. For example, the insect storage and release device  200  (or any of the other insect storage and release devices described herein) may be placed on a towel, sponge, foam, or other absorbent object that has absorbed a liquid food (e.g., sugar water). 
     In some examples, a pressure-maintaining item is installed in between the foam section  212  and the lid. The pressure-maintaining item, which may include a variable force spring, a rigid pieces of material, such as a rigid plastic or metallic disk, a constant force spring, or other such item, may function to apply and/or maintain a constant pressure within the interior volume  210 . For example, after the foam section  212  has been added to the interior volume  210 , the pressure-maintaining item can be added, followed by the lid. The pressure-maintaining item may exert a force on the foam section  212  to ensure a constant pressure is maintained inside the interior volume  210 . 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a first perspective view and a second perspective view of an insect storage and release device  300 , according to a few examples. In the insect storage and release device  300   a  of  FIG. 3A , insects are stored in a compressed state. In the insect storage and release device  300   b  of  FIG. 3B , insects are stored in an uncompressed state. The insect storage and release device  300  is an example of the insect storage and release devices  100  and  200 . 
     The insect storage and release device  300  includes a lid  314  attached to a top flange  302  that encloses an interior volume  310 . The insect storage and release device  300  also includes a foam section  312  located within the interior volume  310  between the lid  314  and a population of insects  316 . The lid  314  includes an adhesive backing that is used to seal the lid to a top surface of the top flange  302 . For example, the lid  314  may be formed from drywall tape (e.g., Tyvek® brand tape), peelable foil, perforated plastic, any other similar materials. In some examples, the lid  314  is formed from the foam section  312  or a second foam section. This example insect storage and release device  300  relies on air flow via the lid  314 , i.e., the bottom  304  and the wall  306  are not perforated. As such, the lid  314  includes perforations and/or is formed from a material that allows breathability (e.g., air flow in and out of the interior volume  310 ). However, in some examples one or more of the lid,  314 , the bottom  304 , or the wall  306  may be perforated. 
     The insect storage and release device  300  in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  includes a population of insects  316   a  and  316   b  within the interior volume  310  of the insect storage and release device  300 . The population of insects  316   a  in the insect storage and release device  300   a  have been compressed into the interior volume  310  using a compression device such as the one described with later figures. In some examples, the insects are compressed to between substantially 100-300 insects per milliliter, less than 100 insects per milliliter, or greater than 100 insects per milliliter. For example, the insect population  316   a  may include around 2000 adult insects (e.g., mosquitoes). In some examples, the insect population may be packed at a pressure of between substantially 0.5 PSI and 3 PSI. As described in more detail with respect to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , this pressure may be measured based on a force applied to a packing actuator (e.g., at a handle  550  of a compression apparatus  534 ) given the surface area of a piston (e.g., a plunger  548 ) pushing against the population of insects (e.g., insects  516 ). In some examples, the pressure may be lower than 0.5 PSI and may be higher than 3 PSI. The population of insects  316   b  in the insect storage and release device  300   b  have not been compressed. As such, far fewer (e.g., around 25-50) insects make up the population of insects  316   b . In some examples, as described elsewhere herein, a device is configured to store a single insect. In some examples, the insects  316  are compressed at least until some predefined packing pressure of the interior volume  310  is reached. To enable loading of the insects  316 , the insects may be suppressed using a reduced temperature, a gas, or other such method to reduce physical activity and movement. In some examples, compressing of the interior volume  310  is performed at some predefined temperature (e.g., between substantially 0 degrees C. and 10 degrees C.) and/or while or after exposing the insects to a gas such as CO2 or Nitrogen to immobilize them. In some examples, the predefined temperature is less than 0 degrees C. and greater than 10 degrees C. The insect storage and release device  300  (or any other insect storage and release device described herein) may be shipped, transported, stored, or otherwise held at a constant holding temperature (e.g., between substantially 11 degrees C. and 15 degrees C.). In some examples, the constant holding temperature is less than 11 degrees C. and greater than 15 degrees C. 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  respectively illustrate perspective views of an insect storage and release device  400  including various lid configurations  414   a - 414   c , according to various examples. The insect storage and release device  400  is an example of the insect storage and release devices  100 - 300 . The lids  414  may be reusable or disposable. In some examples, the lids  414  may be customized per application. The lids  414  may also include locking features and/or tamper-resistant features (e.g., foil that breaks when opened). For example, the lid  414  may include a locking feature that prevents children from unlocking the insect storage and release device  400  (e.g., child proof lock). In some examples, the locking feature may be unlocked only by one who has a key or by one who has a combination. This may be desirable to control the release of the insects only by those who are authorized as evidenced by key ownership. In some examples, the locking feature is a detent mechanism that includes a first portion connected to the lid and a second portion connected to the body. The detent mechanism may be configured to arrest rotation of the lid relative to the body. In some examples, the detent mechanism is mechanically manipulated in order to remove the lid from the body. 
     The insect storage and release device  400   a  illustrated in  FIG. 4A  includes the lid  414   a . The lid  414   a  includes a planar piece  416  (e.g., a thin membrane of material) and an adhesive ring  418 . The adhesive ring  418  seals the planar piece  416  to a top surface  420  of the top flange  402 . The planar piece  416  also includes a tab  422  that corresponds to a similar shaped structure on the top flange  402 . In some examples, the tab  422  is gripped by a user when opening the container to reveal the interior volume  410 . In some examples, the adhesive ring  418  is formed as a planar sheet. In this example, a perimeter portion may adhere to the top surface  420  and the planar piece  416  and an inner portion may adhere to a foam section or other object disposed within the interior volume  410  and the planar piece  416 . In this manner, removal of the planar piece  416  may also include removal of the foam section. 
     The insect storage and release device  400   b  illustrated in  FIG. 4B  includes the lid  414   b . The lid  414   b  includes a lid bottom  424  and a lid wall  426  surrounding the lid bottom  424 . To seal up the interior volume  410 , the lid  414   b  is installed into the interior volume  410  via the opening located within the top flange  402 . The lid  414   b  is held within the interior volume  410  by an interference fit between an exterior surface of the lid wall  426  and an interior surface of the side wall  406 . 
     The insect storage and release device  400   c  illustrated in  FIG. 4C  includes the lid  414   c . The lid  414   c  includes the lid bottom  424  and the lid wall  426  surrounding the lid bottom  424 . The lid  414   c  also includes a connecting portion  428  that connects the top flange  402  and the lid bottom  424 . The lid  414   c  functions similarly as described with reference to the lid  414   b.    
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate side sectional views of an example insect compression device  530  for loading insects into one of the insect storage and release devices described herein, according at least one example. The insect compression device  530  may be used to load insects into insect storage and release devices  500  (e.g., the insect storage and release devices  100 - 400 ), and, in some examples, this may include compressing the insects into the insect storage and release devices  500 . For example, at least some of the insect populations  316  were loaded into their respective insect storage and release devices  300  using an insect compression device such as the insect compression device  530 . The insect compression device  530  is used to load a single insect storage and release device, but it should be understood that multiple insect compression devices  530  may be held in any suitable combination and used to simultaneously load multiple insect storage and release devices with insects. For example, plurality of insect compression devices  530  may be arranged into a two-dimensional array of devices, which may be individually operated or may be aligned and actuated as a single system. 
     The insect compression device  530  includes a retainer block  532  and a compression apparatus  534 . Generally, the retainer block  532  is configured to receive and retain an insect storage and release device  500  while the insect storage and release device  500  is being loaded with insects. The compression apparatus  534  is used to compress the insects into the insect storage and release device as it is retained by the retainer block  532 . 
     Beginning with the retainer block  532 , the retainer block  532  includes a set of alignment holes  536   a - d  surrounding a concave depression  538 . The alignment holes  536  correspond to a set of alignment posts  540   a - d  of the compression apparatus  534 , and are used to align the compression apparatus  534  with the retainer block  532 . In the view depicted in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , only two of the alignment holes  536  and two of the alignment posts  540  are illustrated. The other two may be located on opposite sides of their respective parts. In some examples, other alignment features may be employed or none may be used. 
     The concave depression  538  is configured to receive and retain the insect storage and release device  500 . As such, the size and shape of the concave depression  538  may correspond to an exterior form factor of the insect storage and release device  500 . In this example, the concave depression  538  may more or less has a cylindrical shape that corresponds to the cylindrical shape of the insect storage and release device  500  (e.g., such as the insect storage and release devices  100 - 400  described with respect to  FIGS. 1-4 ). In other examples, the concave depression  538  may have a different size and shape. For example, the concave depression  538  may be bulbous to correspond to the insect storage containers described with respect to  FIG. 6 . 
     Turning now to the compression apparatus  534 , the compression apparatus  534  includes a chamber  542  including a distal opening  544   a  and a proximate opening  544   b , a plunger  546  including a distal end  548  and a handle  550 , along with the alignment posts  540  introduced previously. The chamber  542  defines an interior volume extending between the two openings,  544   a  and  544   b . The plunger  546  is configured to travel longitudinally (e.g., translate) within the interior volume of the chamber  542 . To move the plunger  546 , a user or a robotic device may exert a force on the handle  550  (e.g., either pushes to move the distal end  548  toward the distal opening  544   a  or pulls to move the distal end  548  toward the proximate opening  544   b ). 
     To operate the insect compression device  530 , the compression apparatus  534  is separated from the retainer block  532 . An insect storage and release device  500  is loaded into the concave depression  538  of the retainer block  532 . The plunger  546  is pulled back within the chamber  542  to define a loading volume extending within the chamber  542  between the distal opening  544   a  and the distal end  548  (e.g., the distal end  548  is moved adjacent to the proximate opening  544   b ). Once the plunger  546  is in this position, a foam section  512  (e.g., the foam section  512  and/or a lid) is loaded into the chamber  542  via the distal opening  544   a  until it wrests against the distal end  548 . A population of insects  516  may then be loaded into the chamber  542  via the distal opening  544   a . In other examples, the distal end  548  is removed entirely from the chamber  542  and the population of insects  516  and the foam section  512  are loaded via the proximate opening  544   b . Following these actions, the compression apparatus  534  and the retainer block  532  are brought into alignment via the alignment posts  540  and the alignment holes  536 . Finally, the plunger  546  is moved through the interior volume of the chamber  542  such that the distal end  548  pushes the foam section  512  and the insects  516  toward the retainer block  532 , which includes the insect storage and release device  500  loaded into the concave depression  538 . In some examples, a packing pressure of substantially 0.5 PSI and 3 PSI may be applied to the insects  516  during packing. This pressure may depend on the force applied at the handle  550  given an area of the plunger  546 . Once the insects  516  and the foam section  512  are within the insect storage and release device  500 , the insect compression device  530  may be separated from the retainer block  532  and the loaded insect storage and release device  500  may be removed from the concave depression  538 . In some examples, a lid may be loaded into the chamber  542  and translated within the interior volume as part of compressing the insects  516 . 
     During loading of the insect storage and release device  500  using the insect compression device  530 , the foam section  512  may be added to provide compliance during compression as well as to reduce damage to the insects  516  (e.g., the foam section  512  provides pressure on the insects  516 , but does so without crushing the insects  516 ). The foam section  512  also allows the insects  516  to breathe. 
     In some examples, the insect compression device  530  includes any suitable compression cylinder/piston arrangement, cam shaft compression arrangement, or other suitable compression arrangement. This may enable automated loading. As described elsewhere herein, multiple insect compression devices  530  may be held together in an array of insect compression devices  530  to enable loading of multiple insect storage and release devices  500  simultaneously. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates various views of an insect storage and release device  600 , according to at least one example. The insect storage and release device  600  (e.g., the insect storage and release devices  100 - 500 ) is configured to retain a single adult insect  652  such as a mosquito. The insect storage and release device  600  is shown as having a different form factor from the insect storage and release devices of  FIGS. 1-4 . However, the function and structure are similar. In particular, the insect storage and release device  600  includes a top flange  602  and a side wall  606 . The side wall  606  has the form of a bulbous depression. 
     In some examples, the insect storage and release device  600  (or any other insect storage and release device) may take the form factor of single-dispense blister packs such as those used to package medicine. For example,  FIG. 7  illustrates an insect storage system  754  that includes a sheet  756  of the insect storage and release devices  600 . The sheet  756  may include perforation lines  758  extending between the individual insect storage and release devices  600  (e.g., to define insect sections) such that each insect storage and release device  600  may be detached from the remaining insect storage and release devices  600  of the sheet  756 . In some examples, the sheet  756  includes an adhesive back that can be removed to reveal the interior volume  610  of each insect storage and release device  600 . In some examples, the sheet  756  includes a foil back that can be punctured to reveal the interior volume  610 . 
     In some examples, the number of insects within each of the insect storage and release devices  600  on the sheet  756  may vary (e.g., 1 insect in one and 20 insects in another) or may be consistent (e.g., a full sheet of insect storage and release devices  600  each including 1 insect). In some examples, the sheet  756  is manufactured and loaded based on an order for a particular number of insects to be released at some dosage interval (e.g., 1 insect on a first day, 5 insects on a second day, 10 insects on a third day, etc.). The number of insect storage and release devices  600  in the sheet  756  may be defined as an array having any suitable number of rows and columns (e.g., 10×10, 1×1, 10×1, etc.). 
       FIG. 8A  illustrates a perspective view of an example insect storage system  854 , according to at least on example. The insect storage system  854  is an example of the insect storage system  754 . For example, the insect storage system  854  may be used store one or more insects. In some examples, the insect storage system  854  may include a bottom section  858  (e.g., a microplate) that includes a plurality of wells  856 . In some examples, the bottom section  858  may be enclosed by a lid with flexible protrusions sized and configured to extend into the interior volumes of the wells  856  of the insect storage system  854 . The insect storage system  854  may also be used to compress insects into the wells  856 . In some examples, the insect storage system  854  may include perforations to allow air exchange and/or feeding. 
       FIG. 8B  illustrates a perspective view of an example insect rearing and storage device  857 , according to at least one example. The insect rearing and storage device  857  is configured to house insects as they develop from a larva stage through the pupa stage and onto full adulthood. In some examples, the insect rearing and storage devices  857  are formed in a sheet such that many such devices  857  are included as part of one structure (e.g., a sheet of insect rearing and storage devices  857 ). 
     The insect rearing and storage device  857  includes a pouch  862  in which is formed a pocket  860 . The pocket  860  forms a main chamber of the insect rearing and storage device  857 . The insect rearing and storage device  857  also includes a first duct  864  connected to a first side of the pocket  860  and extending in a first direction and a second duct  866  connected to a second side of the pocket  860  and extending in a second direction. The first duct  864  is configured to retain an aqueous solution, larvae insect food  868 , and one or more insect larvae. The second duct  866  is configured to retain adult insect food  870 . The first duct  864  includes a proximate end that terminates at the pocket  860  and a distal end that terminates radially from the pocket  860 . The second duct  866  includes a proximate end that terminates at the pocket  860  and a distal end that terminates laterally from the pocket  860 . 
     In operation, one or more larvae and water are added to the first duct  864  while the insect rearing and storage device  857  is in the illustrated orientation. The larvae feed on the larvae insect food  868  and develop into pupae. Once this has occurred, the device  857  is rotated 90 degrees to the left. This causes the pupae to move through the first duct  864  and into the pocket  860 , e.g., by gravity. Within the pocket  860 , the pupae are suspended in water that drained from first duct  864  or other water while the develop into adults. Once adults, the insects can access the adult insect food  870  in the second duct  866 . To provide air exchange for the insects, the insect rearing and storage device  857  includes a perforated section disposed at a suitable location of the pocket  860 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates side section views of insect loading and storage systems  974   a - c , according to various examples. The insect loading and storage system  974  is used to compress insects into a balloon  976  using three different approaches. The system  974   a  includes the balloon  976  having an opening  978 . The insects are loaded into the balloon  976  via the opening  978  with the balloon in an inflated state. Once within the balloon  976 , the air can be evacuated from the balloon  976  to compress the insects. 
     The system  974   b  includes the balloon  976  with the opening  978  stretched over a container  980 . The insects are loaded into the balloon  976  with the opening  978  stretched in this manner. Once within the balloon  976 , the air can be evacuated from the balloon  976  to compress the insects. 
     The system  974   c  includes the balloon  976  and a loading straw  982 . The loading straw  982  is inserted into an opening of the balloon  976 . The insects are loaded into the balloon  976  via the loading straw  982 . Once the insects have been loaded, the loading straw  982  may be removed from the balloon  976 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates perspective views of an insect loading and storage system  1084 , according to at least one example. The insect loading and storage system  1084  is used to compress insects into a storage container  1086 . The storage container  1086  includes an opening  1092  through which insects are loaded into an interior volume  1088 . Once the insects have been loaded into the interior volume  1088 , moveable walls  1090   a  and  1090   b  are moved to compress the interior volume  1088  and the insects found therein. Following this action, the moveable walls  1090   a  and  1090   b  may be moved relative to the opening  1092  to enable other insects to be loaded into other portions of the storage container  1086  formed by different moveable walls  1090 . 
     In some examples, loading insects, whether using the insect loading and storage system  1084 , the insect compression device  530 , or any other loading device suitable for loading insects, may be include cooling, gassing using CO2 or other suitable gas, or other suitable techniques to immobilize the insects. For example, the temperature may be held between 9 degrees C. and 14 degrees C. In some examples, the insects are stored at this temperature, whether under compression or otherwise. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of an example insect release system  1194 , according to at least one example. The insect release system  1194  includes a plurality of insect storage and release devices  100  arranged into a top strip  1196 , a bottom strip  1198 , and a series of sprocket holes  1199 . The insect release system  1194  takes the form factor of a film strip and can be loaded into an insect release device that is configured to open the insect storage and release devices  100  release insects disposed therein. For example, the insect release device may include one or more sprockets of other structure for indexing the insect release system  1194  between the insect storage and release devices  100 . For example, such indexing can be achieved by the one or more sprockets engaging the sprocket holes  1199 . 
     In some examples, the top strip  1196  includes an adhesive backing that connects the top strip  1196  to the bottom strip  1198 . As the insect release system  1194  is indexed on an insect release device, the top strip  1196  may be separated from the bottom strip  1198  to release the insects held within the insect storage and release devices  100 . Once opened, the insect release device may include a blower to blow the insects from the insect storage and release devices  100 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of the insect release system  1194  that is embodied in a film strip on a reel  1201 . The insect release system  1194  includes the bottom strip  1198  and the top strip  1196 . In some examples, to release the insects from the insect storage and release devices  100 , the reel  1201  is loaded into an insect release device and the top strip  1196  is fed to a second reel and the bottom strip is fed to a third reel. In this manner, as the second and third reels are turned, the top strip  1196  will be removed from the bottom strip  1198  thereby exposing the insects. 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate perspective views of insect storage and release systems  1400   a  and  1400   b , according to at least one example. The insect storage and release systems  1400   a  and  1400   b  may be referred singularly as the insect storage and release system  1400 . In some examples, a single insect storage and release system  1400  may constitute an insect storage and release system. The insect storage and release system  1400  may be configured to store insects in between planar layers of material. For example, a single layer of insects one-insect thick may be loaded into a bottom container of the insect storage and release system  1400 . Next, a lid may be placed on top of the bottom container to enclose the insects within the bottom container. Another layer of insects may be formed on top of the earlier-formed layer in a similar manner (e.g., a bottom container filled with insects and enclosed with a lid). To release the insects, the lid may be removed from the respective bottom container to reveal the interior volume. The insect storage and release systems  1400  may enable dense storage, transportation, and release of insects such as adult mosquitoes. 
     Turning now to the details of the insect storage and release system  1400 , the insect storage and release system  1400  includes a bottom container  1410  and a lid  1412 . The bottom container  1410  includes a floor  1414  and a wall  1416  that encircles the wall  1416  to define an interior volume. The lid  1412  is sized to seal with a perimeter edge of the wall  1416  to enclose the interior volume of the bottom container  1410 . When assembled, the lid  1412  may be brought towards the floor  1414  at least until a perimeter edge of the lid  1412  engages with the perimeter edge of the wall  1416  and/or interior surfaces of the wall  1416 . The insect storage and release system  1400  may hold insects in a compressed state by pressing the lid  1412  against the bottom container  1410  to a predetermined pressure level while the insects are held in place between the lid and the bottom container. For example, the insects may be loaded in accordance with a packing pressure, as described herein. For example, the packing pressure may be measured given a force applied to the lid  1412  as it is brought into contact with the bottom container  1410  and a surface area of the bottom container  1412 . In some examples, the packing pressure may be substantially between 0.5 PSI to 3 PSI. In some examples, the pressure may be lower than 0.5 PSI and may be higher than 3 PSI. In some examples, one or more pressure-maintaining items such as pneumatic cylinders or other resilient devices (e.g., spring) may be interposed between one or more layers of bottom containers  1410  and/or lids  1412  to maintain a constant compressive force between layers. The packing pressure may be used for packing insects in other insect storage and release systems described herein. 
     In some examples, combinations of bottom containers  1410  and lids  1412  may be stacked on top of each other to create a stacked arrangement of insect storage and release systems  1400 . In some examples, the stacked arrangement of insect storage and release systems  1400  may be placed within a cylindrical tube or tube having a different cross section for bottom containers  1410  and lids  1412  having different cross sections (e.g., rectangular, etc.). The tube may function to retain the stacked insect storage and release systems  1400  and provide rigidity when the insect storage and release systems  1400  are transported. To release insects from one of the insect storage and release systems  1400 , all insect storage and release systems  1400  within the tube (e.g., all “layers” of storage and release systems  1400 ) may be translated within the tube until a top insect storage and release system  1400  is adjacent a top opening of the tube. At this point, the lid  1412  of the top insect storage and release system  1400  may be removed and the insects within the corresponding bottom container  1410  may be free to exit the bottom container  1410  and/or the tube. Releasing insects from one bottom container  1410  may constitute a metered “dose” of insects, where a dose includes a quantity of insects from a discrete layer of the insect storage and release system (or from the entire system if only a single layer is employed). In some examples, the number of insects loaded into the bottom container  1410  may be metered such that each bottom container  1410  holds roughly the same quantity of insects. It should be appreciated that different sized doses of insects may be stored in different layers. For example, a first layer may include 100 insects, a second layer may include 50 insects, and a third layer may include 200 insects. 
     To store adult insects in the insect storage and release system  1400 , the insects, such as mosquitoes, are first loaded into the bottom container  1410 . This may include suppressing (e.g., sedating or otherwise reducing the energy level) the insects before placing them in the bottom container  1410 . After the insects have been loaded into the bottom container  1410 , the lid  1412  is releasably coupled with the wall  1416 . In this manner, the insects may be retained within the volume bounded by the floor  1415 , the wall  1416 , and the lid  1412 . In some examples, the lid  1412  may be releasably coupled with the wall  1416  using any suitable coupling such as a hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro® brand hook and loop fastener), adhesive, or other coupling disposed at the perimeter edges. To release insects from one layer (e.g., one bottom container  1410  and one lid  1412 ), the lid  1412  for that layer may be removed from the respective bottom container  1410  to reveal the interior volume. At this point, the insects may be free to fly from the bottom container  1410 . In some examples, a blower, heater, and/or any other revival device may be arranged to encourage evacuation of the insects from the bottom container  1410 . 
     In some examples, at least some bottom containers  1410  in a stack of insect storage and release systems  1400  may hold different quantities of insects. For example, a dosing requirement for a particular application may require a first insect quantity to be released on a first day, a second insect quantity to be released on a second day, and a third insect quantity to be released on a third day. Given this requirement, a stack of insect storage and release systems  1400  may be formed in which a top insect storage and release system  1400  may include the first insect quantity, a middle insect storage and release system  1400  may include the second insect quantity, and a bottom insect storage and release system  1400  may include the third insect quantity. The stack of insect storage and release systems  1400 , whether in a tube or not, may be shipped with instructions for release. The instructions may inform a user that on a first day remove the lid  1412  of the top insect storage and release system  1400 , on the second day remove the bottom container  1410  of the top insect storage and release system  1400  and the lid  1412  of the middle insect storage and release system  1400  and, and on the third day remove the bottom container  1410  of the middle insect storage and release system  1400  and the lid  1412  of the bottom insect storage and release system  1400 . 
     As illustrated, the insect storage and release systems  1400   a  and  1400   b  are structurally similar, with the exception that the insect storage and release system  1400   b  also includes a floor opening  1408  in the floor  1414   b  of the bottom container  1410   b  and a lid opening  1418  in the lid  1412   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the floor opening  1408  and the lid opening  1418  may be sized to slide onto a mounting axle or other elongate member of a mounting structure  1520 . For example, the mounting structure  1520  may include a bottom platform  1522  (e.g., a support foot) and an elongate cylindrical axle  1524  that extends vertically from the bottom platform  1522 . The insect storage and release systems  1400   b  may be loaded onto the elongate cylindrical axle  1524  one by one, e.g., by placing a first bottom container  1410  on the elongate cylindrical axle  1524 , loading insects into the first bottom container  1410 , installing a first lid  1412 , installing a second bottom container  1410 , loading second insects into the second bottom container  1410 , installing a second lid  1412 , and repeating for subsequent layers. The bottom platform  1522  may function to support the insect storage and release systems  1400   b  and the axle  1524  may function to align the insect storage and release systems  1400   b  with each other. The diameter of the floor opening  1408  and the diameter of the lid opening  1418  may be sized to be slightly larger than an outside diameter of the elongate cylindrical axle  1524 . In this manner, the insect storage and release systems  1400   b  may be slideably mounted on the axle  1524 . The mounting structure  1520  may also include a removable lid  1526 . The removable lid  1526  may be removed from the axle  1524  when the insect storage and release systems  1400  are being loaded and when insects are being released from an insect storage and release system  1400 . In some examples, the mounting structure  1520  may be sized to be received by a cylindrical container. 
     The mounting structure  1520  is illustrated as including sections of foam  1528  (e.g., reticulated foam) arranged into layers. In this example, the mounting structure  1520  may be placed within a cylindrical container with the insects being placed between layers of the insect storage and release systems  1400  and the reticulated foam sections  1528 . In some examples, the reticulated foam sections  1528  may be any other open cell foam, silicone, plastic, or other material capable of being compressed may be employed in place of the reticulated foam. The reticulated foam sections  1528  may occupy any excess volume within the interior volume and enable compression of the insects within the interior volume. The reticulated foam sections  1528  may be soaked in sugar water to provide food for insects within the interior volume. 
     The insect storage and release system  1400  has a cylindrical form factor (i.e., the bottom container  1410  and the lid  1412  have circular cross or ovoid sections), but other form factors such as rectangular, triangular, spherical, bulbous, and other shapes are also possible. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of an insect storage and release system  1600 , according to at least one example. The insect storage and release system  1600  includes a central axle  1602  and a plurality of insect retaining structures  1604   a - 1604 N extending radially from the central axle  1602 . Each insect retaining structure  1604  is removably coupled to the central axle  1602  at a perimeter edge  1606 . For example, the retaining structures  1604  may be coupled using an adhesive or hook and loop fasteners. In some examples, the central axle  1602  may include a plurality of slots into which perimeter edges  1606  of the retaining structures  1604  may be installed and securely held. 
     The retaining structures  1604  may include one or more sheets of planar material such as paper, plastic, metal, etc. In some examples, at least two retaining structures  1604   a  may form an insect storage and release subsystem by which insects may be stored. For example, the retaining structure  1604   a  may function as a containing layer of the subsystem to define an interior volume and may be used to retain a quantity of insects, and the retaining structure  1604   b  may function as a lid layer of the subsystem to define a lid for the containing layer. In this example, the retaining structure  1604   a  may also function as a lid layer of a subsystem that includes the retaining structure  1604 N functioning as the containing layer. 
     In some examples, the retaining structures  1604  may function to retain other elements that are used to store insects. For example, structures similar to insect storage and release systems  1400  may be loaded in between the retaining structures  1604 , and held in compression by the retaining structures  1604 . 
     Depending on the application, the insects may be released from the insect storage and release system  1600  by separating the top and bottom retaining structures  1604  that are holding the insects. For example, in the illustrated system  1600 , the insects held between the retaining structure  1604   a  and the retaining structure  1604 N may be free for release. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective view  1704  of an insect storage and release system  1700 , according to at least one example. The insect storage and release system  1700  includes a plurality of storage layers  1706   a - 1706 N stacked on top of each other. As labeled with respect to the storage layer  1706   a , each storage layer  1706  includes a top planar section  1708   a  connected to a bottom planar section  1708   b  via a joint section  1710 . The planar sections  1708  and joint section  1710  may be formed from the same material or from different materials. A stack of storage layers  1706  may be held within a storage container such as a box or other structure. In some examples, each storage layer  1706  may hold some predefined quantity of insects between the top planar section  1708   a  and the bottom planar section  1708   b . To load insects, the top planar section  1708   a  may be folded back via the joint section  1710  to reveal an interior surface of the bottom planar section  1708   b . In this orientation, the insects may be placed on the interior surface of the bottom planar section  1708   b . Once a sufficient quantity of insects has been placed, the top planar section  1708   a  may be folded down and toward the bottom planar section  1708   b . In this manner, the insects may be trapped and held between an interior surface of the top planar section  1708   a  and the interior surface of the top planar section  1708   a . To release insects, the top planar section  1708   a  may be folded back again to reveal the interior surface of the bottom planar section  1708   b . At this point, the insects may be free to fly from the interior surfaces of the planar sections  1708 . In some examples, a blower, heater, and/or any other revival device may be arranged to encourage evacuation of the insects from the interior surface of the planar sections  1708 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates perspective views of an insect storage and release system  1800 , according to at least one example.  FIG. 18  also illustrates the insect storage and release system  1800  in a rolled state  1806  and a partially rolled state  1808  about a roll axis  1816 . The insect storage and release system  1800  is formed from a single pliable mat  1812  that includes a first side  1810   a  and a second side opposite the first side. In some examples, the pliable mat  1812  is rolled around a mandrel  1818  or some other suitable cylindrical structure. 
     Generally, insects may be held between coaxial layers. For example, the pliable mat  1812  may be rolled out as in the partially rolled state  1808 , and insects (e.g., in a sedated state) may be placed on the first side  1810   a . Next, the pliable mat  1812  may be rolled about the roll axis  1816  such that the insects are held between the first side  1810   a  and the second side. In some examples, the pliable mat  1812  also includes an insect retaining material and/or coating disposed on at least the first side  1810   a . For example, an open-cell foam may be provided on the first side  1810  to give the insects some place to roost or otherwise go when the pliable mat  1812  is rolled. To release insects, at least some portion of the pliable mat  1812  may be unrolled. In this manner at least some of the insects held between the layers may be exposed to the open air. At this point, the insects may be free to fly from the pliable mat  1812 . In some examples, a blower, heater, and/or any other revival device may be arranged to encourage evacuation of the insects from the pliable mat  1812 . 
     In some examples, the pliable mat  1812  also includes one or more retaining devices  1814 . The retaining devices  1814 , which may be located on one or both sides  1810  and/or as a separate device, are provided to retain the pliable mat  1812  in the rolled state  1808 . For example, the retaining devices  1814  may include hook and loop fasteners (e.g., hooks on the first side  1810   a  and loops on the second side) that couple as the pliable mat  1812  is rolled about the roll axis  1816 . The retaining devices  1814  may also be used to maintain a suitable compression force between layers of the roll. A tension for rolling the pliable mat  1812  may be computed based on a desired compression force between layers. The retaining devices  1814  may be configured to maintain this compression force by holding the layers. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a perspective view  1904  of an insect storage and release system  1900 , according to at least one example. The insect storage and release system  1900  includes a plurality of storage layers  1906   a - 1906 N stacked on top of each other and connected to each other via a joint section  1910 . For example, as labeled with respect to the storage layer  1906   a , the storage layer  1906   a  includes at least a planar section  1908   a  connected to a planar section  1908   b  via a joint section  1910   a . The planar section  1908   a  includes a first surface  1912   a  and a second surface  1912   b . Likewise, the planar section  1908   b  includes a third surface  1912   c  and a fourth surface  1912   d . Likewise, the planar section  1908   c  includes a fifth surface  1912   e  and a sixth surface  1912   f.    
     Insects may be loaded and held in between opposing top and bottom surfaces of the storage layers  1906 . For example, the insects may be loaded and held between the second surface  1912   b  of the planar section  1908   a  and the third surface of the  1912   c  of the planar section  1908   b . Other insects may be held between the fourth surface  1912   d  and the fifth surface  1912   e . In this manner, the insects are held and retained in between opposing surfaces of the Z shape. Thus, in at least one example, the insect storage and release system  1900  includes a single layer  1906  that includes a structure that is comparable in shape and design to the layers of the insect storage and release device  1706 . In the system  1900 , however, each layer may be connected via additional joint sections  1910  to make one uniform Z folding structure. To release insects, the planar sections  1908  may be separated from each other. At this point, the insects may be free to fly out of the V-shaped structure. In some examples, a blower, heater, and/or any other revival device may be arranged to encourage evacuation of the insects from the surfaces of the layers  1906 . 
     The system  1900  may also include retaining devices configured to maintain compression within the stack of layers. For example, rubber bands, straps, tension clips, or the like may be used to hold the layers in compression. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates perspective views  2002  and  2004  of an insect storage and release system  2000 , according to at least one example. In perspective view  2002 , a top side  2010   a  and a bottom side  2010   b  of the insect storage and release system  2000  are illustrated in an expanded state. In the perspective view  2004 , the insect storage and release system  2000  is illustrated in a stacked state. 
     The insect storage and release system  2000  includes at least two insect retaining sections  2006   a - 2006 N connected to a pliable mat  2008  (e.g., at the top side  2010   a ). In this example, the pliable mat  2008  is formed from a rectangular piece of thin paper and is divided into a plurality of mat sections  2012   a - 2012 N. The insect retaining sections  2006  may be formed from a foam. The insect retaining sections  2006  may be spaced roughly equally apart from each other on the pliable mat  2008 , with the space between being about equal to a width of a single insect retaining section  2006  (e.g., a mat section  2012 ). In the expanded state illustrated in the first perspective view  2002  with the top side  2010   a  facing up, the insects may be placed on the insect retaining section  2006   a . After which, the mat section  2012   b  may be folded onto the insect retaining section  2006   a  to provide a barrier between the insect retaining section  2006   a  and the insect retaining section  2006   b . The similar approach can be taken for loading insects in the insect retaining section  2006   b . Once all layers have been loaded, the insect storage and release system  2000  will take the form of the stacked state in perspective view  2004 . To release the insects held within an insect retaining section  2006 , the mat section  2012  that is on top of the insect retaining section  2006  may be removed to reveal the insects to the open air. At this point, the insects may be free to fly off of the insect retaining section  2006 . In some examples, a blower, heater, and/or any other revival device may be arranged to encourage evacuation of the insects from the surfaces of the insect retaining sections  2006 . 
     The system  2000  may also include retaining devices configured to maintain compression within the stack of layers. For example, rubber bands, straps, tension clips, or the like may be used to hold the layers in compression. 
     The illustrated insect storage and release systems described herein may be formed from a thermoformable plastic, foil, paper, compostable products, rubbers, silicone/urethane, foam, 3D printed resin and filament, insect food (e.g., sucrose, bread, etc.). In some examples, the material used may be color coded to signify a characteristic such as volume of the container or quantity of insects held therein. The material may also be tinted (e.g., tinted plastic), UV protected (e.g., UV protected plastic), and have color-changing properties. The insect storage and release system described herein may also be loaded with food (e.g., sugar water, sugar capsule, etc.). 
     In some examples, the insect storage and release systems described herein are loaded directly from an insect sortation system. The insect sortation system may be configured to singulate and sort insects based on predefined characteristic (e.g., sex, species, size, etc.). Once singulated, the insects can be blown, driven, or otherwise loaded into the insect storage and release systems from a singulation pathway of the insect sortation system. In some examples, insects from the singulation pathway are loaded into a holding chamber, and the insects are loaded from the holding chamber into the insect storage and release systems. 
     In some examples, the insect storage and release devices may include climate or other environmental control such as temperature, humidity, and/or pressure control. Such control may be maintained during storage, packing, shipping, transportation, etc. In some examples, the insect storage and release devices may be compatible for feeding of insects. In some examples, the insect storage and release devices may include a tracking mechanism such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) tracking. In some examples, the insect storage and release devices may enable timed release such as a maze form factor (e.g., designed such that it takes an insect some predefined amount of time to exit), barrier (e.g., food barrier that is eaten by insects), or dissolvable. For example,  FIG. 14  illustrates an example release maze  1407 , according to at least one example. In some examples, the insects of the insect storage and release devices may be dispersed using any suitable dispersion technique including, for example, hanging, shooting, dropping from air, floating, within plants, or via the mail (e.g., mailed to a person&#39;s home and released by the person). In some examples, the insect storage and release devices may include automatic dispersion features including, for example, hole patterns, tabs, or multi-material for automated opening. In some examples, the insect storage and release devices may be capable of use by existing insect release methods that utilize blower release, drone release, room temperature release, any of which may be paired with revival techniques (e.g., warming, providing oxygen, etc.). 
     Releasing the insects from the insect storage and release devices described herein may be performed in any suitable manner, which may include, for example, placing the insects onto a recovery plate (e.g., a foam mat) and allowing the insects to recover on the plate, placing the insects onto a tray below an airstream. As the insects fly up into the airstream the insects will get blown out of the release device. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates a graph  2100  depicting an insect packing curve  2102 , according to at least one example. In some examples, loading insects into an insect storage and release device may be performed with respect to the insect packing curve  2102 . The insect packing curve  2102  may define that for a given volume, a first quantity of insects will not harm each other, a second larger quantity of insects for the same volume will hurt each and should be avoided (e.g., because they will fly around and bump into each other), and a third larger quantity of insects for the same volume will not hurt each other (e.g., because the insects are packed to closely to fly around and hurt each other). In some examples, a similar curve represents compressed insects. 
     The insect packing curve  2102  represents a packing curve for compressed insects. In particular, the graph  2100  illustrates the number of mosquitoes packed per cubic center along the X axis  2104  (increasing in number of insects from a lowest quantity on the far left to a highest quantity on the far right) and the percentage of male mosquitoes undamaged along the Y axis  2106 . In this example, when the density is around 200 male mosquitoes per cubic centimeter, the lowest percentage of those insects is damaged. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a flow chart showing a process  2200  for compressing insects into a fixed volume such as the interior volume  110  of the insect storage and release device  100 , according to at least one example. The process  2200  begins at block  2202  by loading an insect container into a retainer. For example, the insect storage and release device  100  may be loaded into the retainer block  532 . 
     At block  2204 , the process  2200  includes adding a population of insects to an interior volume of a compression device (e.g., the compression apparatus  534 ). For example, this may include loading insects into the chamber  542 . In some examples, the compression device includes a syringe held within a mounting bracket that aligns with and is releasably coupled to the retainer. In this example, the interior volume may be defined within a barrel of the syringe. 
     At block  2206 , the process  2200  includes adding a foam section to the interior volume of the compression device. For example, this may include adding the foam section  212  into the chamber  542 . Depending on which end of the compression device is loaded with insects, the block  2204  may be performed before or after the block  2206 . 
     At block  2208 , the process  2200  includes compressing the interior volume of the compression device and transferring the population of insects and the foam section to the insect container. This may include applying a force to the plunger  546  of the compression apparatus  534  to cause the plunger to translate within the interior volume and transfer the insects into the insect container. 
     In some examples, the block  2208  includes compressing the interior volume at least until a predefined packing pressure of the interior volume is reached. In this example, the process  2200  may further include adding a pressure-maintaining item to the interior volume such that a first portion of the pressure-maintaining item contacts the foam section, and adding a lid to the insect container to enclose the interior volume such that a second portion of the pressure-maintaining item contacts an interior portion of the lid. The pressure-maintaining item may be configured to maintain the predefined packing pressure of the interior volume by asserting opposing forces on the foam section and the lid. The pressure-maintaining item may include at least one a spring or a constant force material. 
     In some examples, the process  2200  may further include suppressing the population of insects at a particular temperature. For example, the population of insects may be chilled at a particular temperature (e.g., between 9 degrees C. and 14 degrees C.) to reduce their activity. In some examples, at least one of blocks  2204 - 2208  is performed at the particular temperature. 
     In some examples, the process  2200  may further include maintaining at least one environmental condition of the interior volume at least while performing the block  2208 . The environmental condition may include at least one of humidity or pressure. 
     Example 1 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release system, including:
         a container including a floor and a wall that encircles the floor to define an interior volume, the interior volume sized to receive a plurality of adult insects;   a lid sized and configured to releasably couple with the wall to enclose the interior volume; and   a sealing structure to releasably couple the wall and the lid and securely retain insects within the interior volume.       

     Example 2 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release system, including:
         an axle to receive insect retaining structures; and   a plurality of insect retaining structures that are removably mountable on the axle, wherein each insect retaining structure includes:   a containing layer that defines an interior volume, the interior volume sized to receive a plurality of adult insects; and   a lid layer that indexes with the container layer to enclose the interior volume, wherein insects are retained within the interior volume when the lid layer is indexed with the containing layer.       

     Example 3 
     In this example, there is provided a system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein an opening is defined in each of the plurality of insect retaining structures, and the axle receives each of the plurality of insect retaining structures via each respective opening to retain the respective insect retaining structure. 
     Example 4 
     In this example, there is provided a system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein each of the plurality of insect retaining structures is removably mounted on the axle via a perimeter edge of the respective insect retaining structure. 
     Example 5 
     In this example, there is provided an insect retaining structure, including:
         a first planar section including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;   a second planar section including a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface; and   a joint section that connects a first perimeter edge of the first planar section and a second perimeter edges of the second planar section,   wherein the first planar section is foldable along the joint section such that the first surface of the first planar section selectively contacts the third surface of the second planar section, and wherein insects are retained between the first surface and the third surface when the first surface is in contact with the third surface.       

     Example 6 
     In this example, there is provided an insect retaining structure, including:
         a pliable mat including a first surface on a first side and a second surface on a second side; and   a retaining device,   wherein the pliable mat retains insects between the first surface and the second surface when the pliable mat is rolled about a roll axis, wherein the retaining device retains the pliable mat in a rolled state.       

     Example 7 
     In this example, there is provided an insect retaining structure, including:
         a pliable mat including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the pliable map defining a plurality of portions;   a first insect retaining section including a third side and a fourth side, the fourth side of the first insect retaining section connected to the pliable mat on the first side of the pliable mat at a first portion of the plurality of portions; and   a second insect retaining section including a fifth side and a sixth side, the sixth side of the second insect retaining section connected to the pliable mat on the first side of the pliable mat at a second portion of the plurality of portions, the second portion separate from the first portion by a third portion,   wherein the pliable mat is foldable such that first side of the third portion overlays the fourth side of the first insect retaining section and the second side of the second portion overlays the first side of the third portion.       

     Example 8 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release device, including:
         a bottom;   a top flange;   a perimeter wall that connects the bottom and the top flange, wherein the perimeter wall and the bottom form a cylinder that defines a cylindrical interior volume for receiving a population of insects, and wherein an opening is formed in the top flange;   a population of insects disposed within the interior volume; and   a lid sized and configured to enclose the opening and prevent the population of insects from exiting the cylinder.       

     Example 8 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein one or more perforations are formed in at least one of the bottom, the perimeter wall, or the lid. 
     Example 9 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the lid includes an adhesive ring configured to adhere the lid to a surface of the top flange. 
     Example 10 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the lid includes:
         a lid bottom; and   at least one lid wall connected to and extending from the lid bottom.       

     Example 11 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein a cross-sectional area of the opening is larger than a second cross-sectional area of the lid bottom. 
     Example 12 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the lid is configured to enclose the opening by an interference fit between the perimeter wall and the at least one lid wall. 
     Example 13 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein: the lid further includes a lid flange that is connected to and extends around the at least one lid wall, and the insect storage and release device further includes a tab that connects the top flange and the lid flange. 
     Example 14 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the opening is sized to receive a foam section and wherein the foam section includes an insect food. 
     Example 15 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the lid is formed from a foam section. 
     Example 16 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the population of insects includes a compressed population of insects. 
     Example 17 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the compressed population of insects is compressed to a density of between substantially 100 and 300 insects per milliliter. 
     Example 18 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the bottom is bulbous or planar. 
     Example 19 
     In this example, there is provided an insect storage and release device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, further including a detent mechanism including a first feature connected to the lid and a second feature connected to the perimeter wall, the second feature configured to arrest rotation of the lid relative to the perimeter wall. 
     Example 20 
     In this example, there is provided a system including:
         a bottom section including a plurality of insect sections, each insect section including an insect compartment, each insect compartment including at least one live insect; and   a lid that extends over and encloses each insect compartment,   wherein the lid is configured for individual access to each insect compartment.       

     Example 21 
     In this example, there is provided a system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the bottom section includes a plurality of perforation lines that extend between the plurality of insect sections, the plurality of perforation lines are configured for individual separation of each insect section from other insect sections of the plurality of insect sections. 
     Example 22 
     In this example, there is provided a system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the lid or the bottom section that forms the insect compartments includes one or more perforations that enable air flow between the insect compartments and outside the insect compartments. 
     Example 23 
     In this example, there is provided a system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein each insect compartment includes a portion of insect food. 
     Example 24 
     In this example, there is provided a system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the plurality of insect sections is arranged in a 1×N array, N is more than one. 
     Example 25 
     In this example, there is provided a system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the plurality of insect sections is arranged in an M×N array, where M is more than one and N is more than one. 
     Example 26 
     In this example, there is provided a system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein each insect compartment is sized and configured to receive a compressed population of live insects. 
     Example 27 
     In this example, there is provided a system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the bottom section includes a sheet of flexible material and the plurality of insect sections is formed as deformations in the sheet of flexible material. 
     Example 28 
     In this example, there is provided a system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the bottom section includes a microplate and the lid includes a plurality of flexible protrusions configured to enclose the insect compartments by partially extending into the insect compartments. 
     Example 29 
     In this example, there is provided a system of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, further including an insect release device configured to selectively separate portions of the lid from corresponding bottom sections to expose interior volumes of the insect sections. 
     Example 30 
     In this example, there is provided a method of compressing insects, including:
         loading an insect container into a retainer;   adding a population of insects to an interior volume of a compression device;   adding a foam section to the interior volume of the compression device; and   compressing the interior volume of the compression device and transferring the population of insects and the foam section to the insect container.       

     Example 31 
     In this example, there is provided a method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, further including cooling the population of insects at a predetermined temperature. 
     Example 32 
     In this example, there is provided a method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein at least one of loading the insect container, adding the population of insects, adding the foam section, or compressing the interior volume is performed at a predetermined temperature. 
     Example 33 
     In this example, there is provided a method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the compression device includes a syringe held within a mounting bracket that aligns with and is releasably coupled to the retainer. 
     Example 34 
     In this example, there is provided a method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the interior volume is defined within a barrel of the syringe. 
     Example 35 
     In this example, there is provided a method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein compressing the interior volume includes translating a plunger of the syringe through the barrel toward a distal tip of the barrel to transfer the population of insects into the insect container. 
     Example 36 
     In this example, there is provided a method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, further including maintaining at least one environmental condition of the interior volume at least while compressing the interior volume of the compression device, the environmental condition including at least one of humidity or air pressure. 
     Example 37 
     In this example, there is provided a method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein compressing the interior volume includes compressing the interior volume at least until a predefined packing pressure of the population of insects within the interior volume is reached. 
     Example 38 
     In this example, there is provided a method of any of the preceding or subsequent examples, further including:
         adding a pressure-maintaining item to the interior volume such that a first portion of the pressure-maintaining item contacts the foam section; and   adding a lid to the insect container to enclose the interior volume such that a second portion of the pressure-maintaining item contacts an interior portion of the lid, wherein the pressure-maintaining item is configured to maintain the predefined packing pressure of the interior volume by asserting opposing forces on the foam section and the lid.       

     The method of claim  39 , wherein the pressure-maintaining item includes at least one a variable force spring or a constant force spring. 
     Example 40 
     In this example, there is provided an insect rearing device, including:
         a pouch in which is formed a pocket;   a first duct connected to a first side of the pocket and extending in a first direction, the first duct configured to retain an aqueous solution, larvae insect food, and one or more insect larvae; and   a second duct connected to a second side of the pocket and extending in a second direction, the second duct configured to retain adult insect food.       

     The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims. 
     Other variations are within the spirit of the present disclosure. Thus, while the disclosed techniques are susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated examples thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as defined in the appended claims. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosed examples (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (e.g., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate examples of the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure. 
     Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood within the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain examples require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present. 
     Use herein of the word “or” is intended to cover inclusive and exclusive OR conditions. In other words, A or B or C includes any or all of the following alternative combinations as appropriate for a particular usage: A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B only; A and C only; B and C only; and all three of A and B and C. 
     Preferred examples of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. Variations of those preferred examples may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the disclosure to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.