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Applied entomology meets

Integrated Pest Management

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About

Who we are

Headquartered in Rho (MI), with a secondary location in Sona (VR), LEAA (Laboratory of Applied Agro-Food Entomology) is an independent Research and Development Testing Center dedicated to food safety, providing scientific and technical support in combating stored-product pests, and promoting best practices for prevention.​ ​ A large team of highly qualified Biologists, Food Technologists, and Agronomists, led since 2012 by Professor Luciano Süss — former Director of the Institute of Entomology at the University of Milan — offers a comprehensive range of high-level services to ensure the safety and quality of food products throughout the entire supply chain, from raw materials to packaging, storage, and distribution of the finished product. ​ The laboratory maintains breeding colonies of pest insects, parasitoids, and predators, which are used to conduct research on the resistance of materials to attacks by voracious and widespread pests, on the objective effectiveness of prevention measures, and on treatments performed using gas, heat, fogging, pressure in autoclaves, and in silos.

Mission

LEAA provides scientific and technical support for prevention against pest infestation and for food safety, combining methodological accuracy with specialized expertise.   LEAA conducts alongside laboratory tests and customized solutions;  it conducts Research in collaboration with Food Industries, Universities, Researchers, pest control Professionals and biocide Producers publishing improved investigation techniques and supplying data certainity. LEAA services meet international standards of Good Experimental Practice and contributes to achieve higher control standards by the food industry. Services are customized according to real operational needs, helping customers meet regulatory standards, reduce risks, and improve product quality. We believe in turning scientific knowledge into practical tools that protect processes, people, and the environment—because every effective strategy starts with understanding and knowledge

Vision

We imagine the food industries and the entire upstream and downstream supply chain as enormous reservoirs of Vital Energy from which all living beings draw to survive. Here the competition between microscopic beings, arthropods, rodents, birds, etc. is extremely high and constant monitoring based on the biological and ethological knowledge of all competing beings and the adoption of suitable behaviours are needed to ensure absolute food safety and effective management of parasites that contaminate our foods. LEAA aims to become a point of reference for operators in the Food, Packaging, Biocides and Pest control sectors as a bridge between the science of research and knowledge of industrial processes We are committed to driving innovation in monitoring parasites and validating the effectiveness of treatments, supporting the decisions of the customer who is more aware and responsible with us. Our goal is to spread the culture of applied entomology as a strategic resource in the productive economy to protect companies and consumers.

Services

SERVICES

LABORATORY STANDARD SERVICES

our laboratory services deliver scientifically validated analyses designed to support the food industry and pest control professionals. From precise insect identification to filth testing and biocide efficacy evaluation, we provide reliable data essential for decision-making, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance

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EFFICACY EVALUATION

Testing your biocides (PT18, PT19) for registration, new technical data, marketing support

CLASSIFICATION

INSECTS CLASSIFICATION

Every strategy begins with the right name

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FILTH TESTS

Even the smallest trace may tell a story

Lab Service

SPECIALITIES

Our specialities address emerging needs in food safety and pest management through advanced testing, innovative technologies, and strategic consulting. Whether you need to assess packaging resistance, resolve contamination complaints, implement bioindicators with LEAAFLOW®, or explore the use of parasitoids and new R&D tools, our team tailors each service to your operational and scientific challenges.

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LEAAFLOW®

your evidence-based validation for heat, gas and nebulized insecticide application

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PACKAGING RESISTANCE

make sure the shelf-life of your product is protected from insects intrusion

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BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

your scientific support in planning and conducting the release of predators and parasitoids

Specialities
Quality

QUALITY SUPPORT

We support Integrated Pest Management programs with high-level consultancy focused on prevention and continuous improvement. Our services include on-site training, review of internal manuals, and technical audits designed to strengthen your pest management strategy, reduce risks, and meet the highest industry standards.

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RISK ASSESSMENTS

From accurate risk assessments to manual compliance audits

 

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IPM MANUAL REVIEW

you and the quality auditors know the impact of setting up  and following suitable procedures

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TRAINING PROGRAMS

all persons in your plant are an active part of your prevention program, if they know

R&D

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

LEAA supports your innovation with tailored research protocols in controlled atmospheres, thermal treatments, and sustainable pest control. We work alongside food producers and biocide manufacturers to turn ideas into data, combining scientific rigor with real-world applicability.
From design to validation, we give structure and credibility to your development projects.

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CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERES

Innovative protocols with phosphine, CO₂, and nitrogen to validate control strategies across storage & logistics

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THERMAL & COLD CHAIN

From rapid pasteurization to freezing: testing the impact of temperature on pest survival and food protection

Breeds

BREEDING

Passionate, trained and experienced operators look after our breeds and ensure that the schedules are respected

Insect farms are the heart of LEAA. At their two Italian locations LEAA breeds stably over 25 species of insects in controlled conditions. 5 species of Cockroaches, 4 species of Flies, 1 species of Ants, 1 species of Termites, more than 15 species of Lepidoptera, foodstuffs Beetles and parasitoid species of the latter such as Xylochoris flavipes.

The need for insects at the right time and the right development stage for the research activities, for the preparation of the LEEAFLOW, for the biocides efficacy tests and for breeding our parasitoids and predators, requires a high accurate schedule for all the breeds.

CONTACT US

Via San Bernardo 35 - RHO (MI) - ITALY

Tel. +39 02 93506336

info@leaa.eu

Contact
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