Production Performance and Nutrient Conversion Efficiency of Field Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) in Mass-Rearing Conditions

Abstract

Currently, there is an increased interest in mass producing edible insects, e.g., field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus), due to their market value and sustainable development. The current study aimed to measure the production performance of field crickets and to quantify the major nutrient deposition rate using a new approach for a nutrient conversion efficiency calculation for the field crickets under mass-rearing conditions. The field crickets were reared under mass-rearing conditions in the rearing crates and fed with a commercial cricket feed. Measurements for daily feed offered, final body weight, and dead cricket quantity were carried out during the feeding trial period. There were three production rounds with the same procedure for farmed cricket management. The samples of diet, adult crickets, and dead crickets were collected and then analyzed for chemical analysis of macronutrients. The production performance and nutrient conversion efficiency were calculated and then compared with applicable earlier reports for both field and house (Acheta domesticus) crickets. The production performance for the studied field crickets under mass-rearing conditions had final a body weight, an average daily gain (ADG), a feed conversion ratio (FCR), and a survival rate of 0.95 g, 23.20 mg/day, 2.94 and 88.51%, respectively. The field crickets had nutrient conversion efficiency for dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein (CP), crude fat (EE), crude fiber (CF), and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) of 13.26, 8.03, 28.95, 88.94, 34.87, and 1.85, respectively, with an adjusted nutrient conversion efficiency of 14.85, 8.99, 32.37, 99.17, 38.95, and 2.10, respectively. Thus, the production of field crickets could be performed under mass-rearing conditions, and the nutrient conversion efficiency for both adjusted and non-adjusted values could be measured.

Impact of temperature on the bionomics and geographical range margins of the two-spotted field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus in the world: Implications for its mass farming

“…This could be because of increased metabolism at 32˚C as compared to at 20˚C. Complete development from egg to adult took between 1 and 7.2 months, in agreement with previous studies [ 8 , 43 ] of the same species. In this study, the longer developmental time of immature stages of G .…”

“…To mitigate food insecurity, and protein deficiency and generate income for both small and large-scale farmers, there are ventures around the globe to establish technologies to farm G . bimaculatus [ 8 ]. Prior investigations demonstrated that G .…”

“…Currently, G. bimaculatus is gathered from the wild when in season [7]. To mitigate food insecurity, and protein deficiency and generate income for both small and large-scale farmers, there are ventures around the globe to establish technologies to farm G. bimaculatus [8]. Prior investigations demonstrated that G. bimaculatus can be farmed at a temperature of 30˚C.…”

Unlocking the Potential of Insect-Based Proteins: Sustainable Solutions for Global Food Security and Nutrition

“…Although selection for low RFI in cattle can decrease methane emissions per unit of product, the overall impact on greenhouse gas emissions may be less significant than adopting insect-based feed [ 44 ]. Furthermore, the mass rearing of edible insects like field crickets has proven feasible under commercial conditions, with efficient nutrient conversion rates, supporting the viability of insects as a sustainable feed source [ 45 ]. Insect farming also contributes to waste reduction, since many insects can be fed organic waste streams such as food scraps, reducing waste and the need for disposal [ 46 ].…”

Edible black ant Smith (Carebara vidua) as human food – A systematic review

“…Insects can potentially be considered in partly substituting other more conventional protein sources, particularly those with the biggest effect, specifically bovines to offer protein-based alternatives to address demands on a global scale (Guiné et al, 2021;Molfetta et al, 2022). Therefore, insects and insect-based meals emerge as meat substitutes with significantly reduced environmental impact (Mitchaothai et al, 2022;Vinci et al, 2022). Insect farming produces less greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions than traditional cattle farming and requires a lot less feed, water, and land.…”