Rearing methods of four insect species intended as feed, food, and food ingredients: a review

Authors: Morales Ramos, Juan; TOMBERLIN, JEFFERY - Texas A&M University; MIRANDA, CHELSEA - Howard Payne University; Rojas, Maria - Guadalupe

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/27/2024
Publication Date: 3/18/2024
Citation: Morales Ramos, J.A., Tomberlin, J.K., Miranda, C., Rojas, M.G. 2024. Rearing methods of four insect species intended as feed, food, and food ingredients: a review. Journal of Economic Entomology. 19. Article toae040. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae040.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae040

Interpretive Summary: The potential of insects as a source of food and animal feed has been recognized globally for the past 20 years. Despite of the multiple advantages of insects as a food source over existing livestock species, particularly on increased sustainability and reduced greenhouse emissions and carbon footprint, its practical use is limited by the current high costs of insect production. A great deal of efforts is required to improve rearing technologies to establish the principles of insect farming. Several insect species have become industrialized using existing methods of production. The most common industrialized insect species intended as feed and food include the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae); the house cricket, Acheta domesticus L. (Orthoptera: Gryllidae); the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae); and the house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). This review focuses on describing the existing rearing methods for these four insect species to provide the basis for future research on improving insect production capabilities.

Technical Abstract: n the past two decades, the potential of insects as a source of food and animal feed has been recognized globally. But despite of the multiple advantages of insects as a food source over existing livestock species, particularly on increased sustainability and reduced greenhouse emissions and carbon footprint, its practical use is limited by the current high costs of insect production. A great deal of efforts is required to improve rearing technology to establish the principles of insect farming. Several insect species have become industrialized using existing methods of production. The most common industrialized insect species intended as feed and food include the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae); the house cricket, Acheta domesticus L. (Orthoptera: Gryllidae); the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae); and the house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). This review focuses on describing the existing rearing methods for these four insect species to provide the basis for future research on improving insect production capabilities.