Laboratory of Beneficial Insects and Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents
Development and implementation of environmentally safe plant protection technologies based on entomophages and acariphages
About the Laboratory
The “Laboratory of Beneficial Insects and Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents” is a structural unit of the institute, specializing in the study of biology, development of rearing technologies, and practical application of entomophages and acariphages in plant biological protection systems.
The laboratory's activities focus on the development and implementation of environmentally safe technologies for protecting agricultural crops using beneficial insects and predatory mites, as well as creating an effective alternative to chemical plant protection products.
The primary goal of the laboratory is to reduce pesticide load on agroecosystems, preserve biodiversity, and promote sustainable agriculture through the adoption of modern biological plant protection methods.
Main Areas of Activity
- Mass rearing of entomophages and acariphages for use in biological plant protection systems in both protected and open-field conditions;
- Development and improvement of technologies for biological control of economically significant pests;
- Study of the biological and ecological characteristics of entomophages and acariphages used in plant protection;
- Development of artificial and alternative nutrient media for mass rearing of predatory mites and other biocontrol agents;
- Search, study, and evaluation of the effectiveness of new biocontrol agents for use in integrated pest management (IPM) systems;
- Assessment of the biological efficiency of entomophages under laboratory and production conditions;
- Development of scientifically-based recommendations for the implementation of biological plant protection technologies in agriculture;
- Training of specialists and conducting educational seminars on biological plant protection for farmers, students, and young researchers.
The main types of bioagents
Trichogramma pintoi
Bracon hebetor Say.
Aphidius colemani V.
Encarsia formosa Gah.
Mastrus ridens Horst.
Chrysoperla carnea Steph.
Macrolophus nubilus H.S.
Podisus maculiventris Say.
Harmonia axyridis Pall.
Coccinella septempunctata L.
Amblyseius swirskii A.-H.
Phytoseiulus persimilis A.-H.
Practical application
The plant protection technologies developed in the laboratory are used to control the population of major agricultural pests. In biological plant protection practices, biocontrol agents such as Amblyseius swirskii, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Encarsia formosa, Aphidius colemani, Macrolophus nubilus, and other entomophagous insects are used to effectively regulate pest populations in greenhouse crops. The use of biocontrol agents reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides and enhances the ecological sustainability of agroecosystems.
Collaboration and Significance of the Work
The laboratory actively collaborates with domestic and international research organizations, agricultural enterprises, and educational institutions. Laboratory specialists participate in scientific projects, grant programs, and applied research aimed at developing plant protection technologies and implementing environmentally safe methods for protecting agricultural crops.
The laboratory's activities are focused on promoting environmentally sustainable agriculture in Kazakhstan. Its research contributes to reducing the use of chemical pesticides, preserving the biodiversity of agroecosystems, and introducing innovative biocontrol technologies into agricultural production.
Laboratory staff:
Alpysbayeva Karlygash Azirbekovna
Head of the Laboratory of Beneficial Insects and Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents
Email: erke07naz05@mail.ru
Education & Career
- 2001–2006: Kazakh National Agrarian University, major in “Plant Breeding and Biotechnology,” qualification: Plant Breeder-Biotechnologist.
- 2008–2010: Master’s Degree, Kazakh National Agrarian University, Master of Agricultural Sciences in Agronomy.
- 2010–2013: PhD program, Kazakh National Agrarian University, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Plant Protection and Quarantine.
- 2012–2019: Researcher, Biomethods Department.
- 2020–2022: Senior Researcher, Beneficial Arthropods Laboratory.
- Since 2022: Head of the Laboratory of Beneficial Insects and Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents, Department of Biological Plant Protection.
Research Interests
- Biological Plant Protection
- Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents
Nurmanov Bauyrzhan Batyrkhanuly
Researcher at the Laboratory of Beneficial Insects and Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents
Email: bauka_92kzs@mail.ru
Phone: +7 701 948 5451
Career
- 2017–2018: State Plant Quarantine Inspector, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
- 2018–2020: Senior Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory of Biological Plant Protection, KazNIIZiKR named after Zh. Zhiembayev.
- 2020 – 31.07.2024: Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents.
- Since 22.01.2025: Researcher, Laboratory of Beneficial Insects and Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents.
Research Interests
- Scientific research on optimizing plant protection systems in open fields and greenhouses.
- Scientific and technological development of mass rearing and application of entomophagous insects.
Junior Researcher
Email: e.dzhubatova@mail.ru
Career
- 1987–1989: Biology and Chemistry Teacher, Kazakh State University named after S. M. Kirov.
- 1989–1996: Senior Laboratory Assistant, Biomethods Department, KazNIIZiKR LLP named after Zh. Zhiembayev.
- 2002–2010: Biology and Chemistry Teacher, Secondary School No. 14, Shymkent.
- 2012–2013: Junior Researcher, Biomethods Department, KazNIIZiKR LLP named after Zh. Zhiembayev.
- 2014–2021: Senior Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory of Biological Plant Protection, KazNIIZiKR LLP named after Zh. Zhiembayev.
- Since 2021: Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Beneficial Insects and Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents, KazNIIZiKR LLP named after Zh. Zhiembayev.
Research Interests
- Biological Plant Protection
- Mass Rearing of Entomophagous and Acariphagous Insects
Najmanova Balzhan Zhasulanovna
Researcher
Email: baljan-sun93@mail.ru
Career
- 2011–2015: Bachelor of Agriculture in “Plant Protection and Quarantine,” Faculty of Agrobiology and Phytosanitary, Kazakh National Agrarian University.
- 2015: Junior Researcher, Department of Biological Plant Protection, KazNIIZiKR LLP.
- 2017–2019: Master of Agriculture in “Soil Science and Agrochemistry,” Faculty of Agronomy, S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University.
- Since 2019: Researcher, Laboratory of Beneficial Insects and Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents, KazNIIZiKR LLP named after Zh. Zhiembayev.
Research Interests
- Advanced Methods of Biological Plant Protection
- Mass Rearing of Entomophagous and Acariphagous Insects
- Phytosanitary Safety
Seitjan Asel Maratkizy
Researcher
Email: asselseitzhan@mail.ru
Career & Education
Education:
- 2015–2019: Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy, Faculty of Agrobiology, Kazakh National Agrarian University.
- 2018: Academic Mobility Program, Plovdiv Agricultural University (Bulgaria).
- 2020–2022: Master’s Degree in Agronomy, Faculty of Agrobiology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University.
- 2022–2023: Senior Laboratory Assistant, KazNAIU.
- 2023–2024: Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Beneficial Insects, KazNIIZiKR LLP named after Zh. Zhiembayev.
- 2024–2025: Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Beneficial Insects and Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents, KazNIIZiKR LLP named after Zh. Zhiembayev.
- Since 2025: Researcher, Laboratory of Beneficial Insects and Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents, KazNIIZiKR LLP named after Zh. Zhiembayev.
Research Interests
- Biological plant protection methods: research and implementation of biological agents (parasitoids, predators) for pest control.
- Study and optimization of entomophagous insect use in agroecosystems to reduce pest populations, enhance crop resilience, and decrease chemical pesticide use.
Zhumakhmet Asel Akbergenkyzy
Senior Laboratory Assistant
Email: zhumakhmet.asel@mail.ru
Career
- 2019–2023: Student, Faculty of Agronomy, specialization in Plant Protection and Quarantine, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University.
- 2023–2024: Herbologist, Ili District Branch, Almaty Region, Republican State Enterprise “Republican Methodological Center for Phytosanitary Diagnostics and Forecasts,” Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
- Since 2024: Senior Laboratory Assistant, KazNIIZiKR LLP named after Zh. Zhiembayev.
Research Interests
- Research on plant protection technologies using biological methods.
- Application of beneficial microorganisms and entomophagous insects in agriculture.
- Development of environmentally safe plant protection systems.
Senior Laboratory Assistant
Email: Ajdana_bagdat@mail.ru
Career
- Since 2022: Senior Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory of Beneficial Insects and Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents, KazNIIZiKR LLP named after Zh. Zhiembayev.
Research Interests
- Advanced methods of biological plant protection
- Mass rearing of entomophagous and acariphagous insects
- Phytosanitary safety
Senior Laboratory Assistant
Email: Nussupbai@gmail.com
Career
- 2023–2025: Laboratory Assistant, Bio Entomophages Kazakhstan LLP.
- Since 2025: Senior Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory of Beneficial Insects and Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents, KazNIIZiKR LLP named after Zh. Zhiembayev.
Research Interests
- Application of biological plant protection methods
- Use of beneficial microorganisms and entomophagous insects in agriculture