Insects in production – an introduction

Francuski, Ljubinka; Beukeboom, Leo W.

doi:10.1111/eea.12935

Cited by 23 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 75 publications

(48 reference statements)

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“…Given the sheer number of insect species on earth (Grimaldi & Engel, 2005; Stork, 2018), and increasing recognition of the benefits of insects as food (Nowak et al, 2016), food‐production systems have harnessed surprisingly few species of insects. Most commercial insect farming for food has focused on crickets and mealworms (Francuski & Beukeboom, 2020), which are not always traditionally eaten, preferred, or native. Wild, traditionally eaten insects like Z .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given the sheer number of insect species on earth (Grimaldi & Engel, 2005;Stork, 2018), and increasing recognition of the benefits of insects as food (Nowak et al, 2016), food-production systems have harnessed surprisingly few species of insects. Most commercial insect farming for food has focused on crickets and mealworms (Francuski & Beukeboom, 2020), which are not always traditionally eaten, preferred, or native. Wild, traditionally eaten insects like Z. tenebrosa, which can be cultivated within the broader agroecological continuum, can allow forests to continue to meet the needs of a growing global population without requiring significant human or economic capital or biodiversity loss.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A nutrient‐rich traditional insect for improving food security and reducing biodiversity loss in Madagascar and sub‐Saharan Africa

Borgerson

Fisher

Razafindrapaoly

et al. 2021

Conservat Sci and Prac

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Forests, and the vertebrate species within them, are irreplaceable sources of food and nutrition for millions of people living in areas of high biodiversity.Unfortunately, many of these forests are being cleared for agriculture, and many animals are threatened with extinction from unsustainable hunting. Forest clearing and the hunting of threatened species are untenable solutions to long-term food insecurity and adequate nutrition, jeopardizing these species' survival, the healthy functioning of ecosystems, and the cultural identities of local people. Working with communities to develop culturally appropriate ways for people to obtain sustainable and legal sources of food from forests outside of protected areas is a key component of improving both conservation and food security. We tested the feasibility, suitability, and viability of farming an abundant and traditionally eaten forest insect, Zanna tenebrosa (locally known as sakondry), in rural communities whose food security relies heavily on the hunting of threatened vertebrates. We found that the insect is high in macroand micronutrients, and can be cheaply, easily, and sustainably cultivated to sustainably diversify forest food systems without increasing habitat loss. Given the range of Z. tenebrosa, which covers a broad swath of central Africa, increasing production of this native insect may support multipronged agroecological

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A nutrient‐rich traditional insect for improving food security and reducing biodiversity loss in Madagascar and sub‐Saharan Africa

Borgerson

Fisher

Razafindrapaoly

et al. 2021

Conservat Sci and Prac

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“…One possible solution toward the maintenance of alien pest populations under the economic threshold, or even its full eradication, is the use of native natural enemies through the continuous applications of a high number of mass‐reared insects, under augmentative or inoculative strategies. Mass‐ and laboratory‐rearing of insects is a key component of IPM and requires the maximization of production, but regarding sustained quality and efficiency of released BCAs 7,8 . Despite commercial mass production of BCAs spanning a period of over 100 years, 9 mass rearing for market purposes is always challenging.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Not only a general knowledge of the biology and ecology of insects, under different biotic and abiotic conditions, are needed, but information on the breeding efficacity and economic value is crucial. These components are essential to gain maximum yield and quality in insect production 7 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic and financial model to the mass‐rearing of Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Heteroptera: Miridae), a biological control agent against the tomato moth Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in protected culture

Dutra

Batista

Teixeira

et al. 2023

Pest Management Science

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BACKGROUNDTuta absoluta (Meyrick) is a major pest of tomato produced in glasshouses and open field, causing severe damages to crops, reducing the quality of tomato fruits. The current maintenance of the pest populations below the economic threshold is not achieved by natural and classical control, thus requiring the continuous application of biological control agents (BCAs), under an augmentative or inoculative approach. The present study aims to develop an economic and financial model to evaluate the commercial viability of a continuous mass production of Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur), a BCA commonly used against the tomato moth, Tuta absoluta, in protected culture. The estimations for our model were based on two approaches: the farm‐level impact analysis and the benefit–cost analysis.RESULTSThe results of the farm‐level analysis show that the adoption of a more sustainable biological control approach is profitable for farmers and the benefit–cost analysis provides evidence that the investment on a new factory dedicated to the mass rearing of M. pygmaeus to control tomato moth populations generates a positive net present value (NPV) of 7.2 million euros, corresponding to an internal rate of return (IRR) of 28.4% per year.CONCLUSIONOur results are in line with (i) the more recent European Commission proposals for a new Regulation on sustainable use of plant protection products, which includes the reduction of 50% the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 2030 and (ii) most of the existing literature which conclude that new projects on BCA production are worth investments. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

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“…Insects and insect-based products are used for a variety of economic purposes. Insects are used to control pest species, to pollinate crops in greenhouses, but also to produce food, such as honey (reviewed by Dicke, 2017;Francuski and Beukeboom, 2020). In recent years there is an increasing interest in the use of insects as animal feed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behaviour of two fly species reared for livestock feed: optimising production and insect welfare

Kortsmit

Bruggen

Wertheim

et al. 2022

JIFF

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The mass rearing of insects as animal feed is a new and rapidly growing component of circular agriculture, which offers the opportunity to develop it in such a way that it promotes insect health and welfare. Behaviour is an important indicator of animal performance and welfare. In this review, we synthesise the current behavioural knowledge on two saprophytic dipteran species that are increasingly being used as mini-livestock, the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) and the housefly (Musca domestica). We evaluate which behaviours need to be considered to optimise insect production and welfare under mass-rearing conditions. We distinguish between the different life stages (adults and larvae), and describe their feeding behaviour, social interactions (adult mating, larval aggregation), oviposition behaviour and possible cannibalism. For each species, we review what is known about these behaviours in natural environments, and how this is affected by abiotic factors or interactions with conspecifics and heterospecifics. We also address how the flies’ microbiome and pathogens can influence various aspects of behaviour. Notable differences in natural behaviours between the two species, such as their courtship and mating behaviour and the larval distribution within feed substrates are identified. These behavioural differences have important implications for how we should rear the two fly species in industrial settings, as a mismatch in mass-rearing conditions may induce environmental stress or compromise insect productivity and welfare. Escape behaviour, larval aggregation behaviour, possibly cannibalism in the larval stage and mating frequency and reproduction rate are identified as behaviours providing information on welfare of larval and adult flies. Finally, a number of aspects are identified for which behavioural knowledge is currently still sparse, while this may be important to safeguard insect welfare. We conclude with recommendations for future research to promote insect welfare.

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Insects in production – an introduction

Cited by 23 publications

References 75 publications

A nutrient‐rich traditional insect for improving food security and reducing biodiversity loss in Madagascar and sub‐Saharan Africa

A nutrient‐rich traditional insect for improving food security and reducing biodiversity loss in Madagascar and sub‐Saharan Africa

Economic and financial model to the mass‐rearing of Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Heteroptera: Miridae), a biological control agent against the tomato moth Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in protected culture

Behaviour of two fly species reared for livestock feed: optimising production and insect welfare

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