Insects as feed

Due to their nutritional profile, especially the high protein content, various types of insects can be used as feed for industrial animal production and aquaculture. An insect-based diet for farm animals has been scientifically investigated for pigs, poultry and edible fish. Insects can provide as much protein and essential amino acids for swine and poultry that can potentially replace soybean meal in a diet.[1] Inclusion of black soldier fly larvae in a diet for fish farming gave positive effect with no difference in odor and texture.[2] At the same time, there are challenges and disadvantages compared to established feed in terms of performance and growth. For monogastric farm animals, such as swine and poultry, replacing their conventional formula entirely with insects can result to decrease in performance and growth e.g., because insect flour may contain high levels of ash.[3] Insects as feed are legally considered farm animals themselves, therefore they must not receive feed from ruminant proteins, kitchen and food waste, meat and bone meal and liquid manure.

With a view to protecting the environment and resources as well as feed and food security in the face of a growing world population, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has called for increased use of feed insects for feed production.[4]

Black-soldier flies, common house fly larvae and mealworms are some of the most common insects in animal feed production. Black soldier flies and common house flies often reside in manure piles and in organic wastes. Farming these insects could promote better manure and organic waste management, while providing nutritious feed ingredient to pets and livestock.[5]

Aside from nutritional composition and digestibility, insects are also selected for ease of rearing by the producer. A study compared insect species regarding their suitability as feed material, investigating their development time, survival rate, efficiency of converting base feed into insect biomass (FCR), dry matter conversion rate (EIC), and nitrogen efficiency (N-ECI).[6] In the table, values indicate the mean =/- one standard deviation, and superscripts indicate significant differences.

HPHF = high protein, high fat; HPLF = high protein, low fat; LPHF = low protein, high fat; LPLF = low protein, low fat, C= carrot supplementation

Black Soldier Fly larvae

In the European Union, the use of seven insect species as feed in aquaculture has been permitted since July 1, 2017:[7]

• Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens),
• Housefly (Musca domestica),
• Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor),
• Lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus),
• House cricket (Acheta domesticus),
• Tropical house cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus), as well as
• Field cricket (Gryllus assimilis).

The inclusion of black soldier flies in the feed of farmed fish had positive results and showed no differences in taste or texture of the fish.[3]

As global populations rise, food demand is becoming an increasingly important issue. Raising conventional livestock requires resources such as land and water, of which availability is concurrently decreasing. As a result, the ability to meet the needs of the growing population may require alternative sources of quality protein.[8]

Producing insect protein through other agricultural practices requires considerably less resources than traditional livestock.[8] The production of insects also produces lower greenhouse gases and ammonia than traditional livestock species. Insects also have the ability to feed on organic waste products such as vegetable, restaurant and animal waste, therefore reducing the amount of excess food produced by humans.[9] Insects are very efficient at converting feed into protein, as they require less feed than traditional livestock.[5] Furthermore, water conservation is also accomplished as insects are cold blooded and are able to meet water requirements through their feed.[9]

The use of insects in feed in the European Union was previously prohibited under an act called "TSE Regulation" (Article 7 and Annex IV of Regulation 999/2001) that bans the use of animal protein in animal feed. In July 2017 this regulation was revised and partially lifts the ban on animal proteins, allowing insects to be included in fish feed.

This was coupled with another change that reclassified insects in the European Union (EU) catalogue of feed materials. This change specifically references to insect fats and insects proteins instead of classifying them under a broad title of animal products. Due to this change, producers now must list the species and life stage of the insect on their product.[10]

• Insect based pet food
• Insect farming

• FAO: Insects for food and feed
• European Food Safety Authority: Risk profile related to production and consumption of insects as food and feed

• van Huis/Tomberlin (2017). Insects As Food and Feed: From Production to Consumption. Wageningen Academic Publishers. ISBN 978-9086862962.
• van Huis, Arnold: Edible insects. Future prospects for food and feed security. Rom. ISBN 9789251075968.
• European Union (Ed.): Enabling the exploitation of Insects as a Sustainable Source of Protein for Animal Feed and Human Nutrition