Agragene's 2025 Trial Runs with Associates Insectary

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Photo Taken By // Amanda Hortiz

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Agragene and Associates Insectary Partner to Advance New, Sustainable Category of Insect Control 

St. Louis, MO and Santa Paula, CA (April 2, 2025) – Agragene and Associates Insectary have announced a partnership to advance the delivery of Agragene’s first sterile insect technology, KNOCKOUT™ SWD to address fresh berry growers’ number one management issue and pest – Spotted Winged Drosophila. Associates Insectary will rear sterile male insects at their Santa Paula, California facility as part of this agreement and will leverage its expertise in high-volume insect production to support this innovative approach to pest management. 

“The partnership with Associates Insectary enables us to scale our groundbreaking technology and bring it to growers who are desperately seeking insect control solutions,” said Matt Helms, Chief Commercial Officer at Agragene.  “Associates Insectary has the processes, controls, and expertise to consistently rear our KNOCKOUT insect technology solution and is also strategically located in a key market geography.” 

Agragene and Associates Insectary share a common vision that progress away from pesticide dependence and is a step toward a healthier environment. As demand for next generation insect control solutions grows, both companies are committed to producing beneficial organisms at scale and delivering them closer to end users, ensuring greater impact, efficiency, and sustainability. 

Zach Slaughter at Associates Insectary stated, "Scaling insect rearing for sustainable pest control requires both innovation and precision. Our partnership with Agragene allows us to apply our expertise to an exciting new biocontrol approach that has the potential to make a real impact,"   

Together, Agragene and Associates Insectary are driving innovation in sustainable pest management, helping build a future with a new category of pest control. Pending regulatory approval, Agragene’s innovative solutions have the potential to transform pest control and help growers meet the demands of delivering healthier, safer, environmentally safe products to their consumers while Associates Insectary’s skill and expertise can ensure a consistent supply to the market. 

For more information visit agragene.com and associatesinsectary.com. 

About Agragene  

Agragene is a pioneering biotechnology company dedicated to developing sustainable and effective pest control solutions that are pending regulatory approval. Leveraging cutting-edge science and a commitment to environmental stewardship, Agragene empowers growers with tools to enhance productivity while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. 

About Associates Insectary 

Associates Insectary has operated in Santa Paula, California since 1928, and is the oldest commercial insectary in the United States.  Associates Insectary is dedicated to advancing the use of biological controls as sustainable and effective solutions for pest management.