The Superworm, Zophobas morio (Coleoptera:Tenebrionidae): A ‘Sleeping Giant’ in Nutrient Sources

Abstract

The aim of this review is to compile up-to-date information on the superworm, Zophobas morio (F.), regarding its biology and ecology, but also its further potential for use as a nutrient source for food and feed. We illustrate certain basic characteristics of the morphology and bio-ecology of this species, which is marginally considered as a ‘pest’ in durable amylaceous commodities. More recent data show that Z. morio can be a valuable nutrient and antimicrobial source that could be utilized further in insect-based feed and food production. The inclusion of this species in aquafeed has provided promising results in a wide range of feeding trials, both in terms of fish development and health. Additional data illustrate its potential for use in poultry, indicating that this species provides comparable results with those of other insect species that are used in feed. Moreover, Z. morio can be a viable waste management agent. This review aims to summarize the available data and underline data gaps for future research, toward the potential of the utilization of Z. morio for human food and animal feed. Based on the data presented, Z. morio appears to be a well-promising insect-based protein source, which potential still remains to be unfold.

A Systematic Review on Viruses in Mass-Reared Edible Insect Species

“…The insect species included in this review are those considered by EFSA, with the exception of Bombyx mori: Musca domestica, Hermetia illucens, Tenebrio molitor, Zophobas morio, Alphitobus diaperinus, Galleria mellonella, Achroia grisella, Acheta domesticus, Gryllodes sigillatus, Locusta migratora and Schistocerca americana (Table 1). Since the taxonomy and classification of Zophobas morio is still unclear and is currently identified as conspecific with Zophobas atratus [50], in this review, as in the one by Rumbos and Athanassiou [51], we consider Z. morio and Z. atratus as one species, referred to as Z. morio. However, in order to collect all possible information, both scientific names were used in the string terms.…”

“…For this reason, several papers describing nutritional aspects, breeding facilities, and microbial dynamics during the industrial production cycle [64][65][66][67][68][69] are present in the literature. Although A. diaperinus belongs to the species with the greatest potential to be used as food and feed in the EU [10], it could serve as a reservoir and vector for a plethora of pathogenic microorganisms, as bacteria, fungi, coccidia, worms, and tapeworms, and of viruses that cause serious diseases [51,70,71]. It is a mechanical vector of avian viruses belonging to different genuses: Marek's disease, avian leucosis virus, fowl pox virus (FWPV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), turkey coronavirus (TCV), Newcastle disease viruses, infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV), and reovirus 24 [70,[72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79].…”

“…Zophobas morio, also known as the super worm, is a large beetle originating in South and Central America and introduced into other regions of Europe and Asia in recent years [50,90,91]. Z. morio has been used as a protein source for small pets such as birds, reptiles, and small mammals [92], but has the potential to become a promising nutrient source for food and feed [51]. Over the last decade the literature on Z. morio as a nutrient source for food, livestock animal feed, and aquaculture has increased considerably [51,93,94].…”

“…Z. morio has been used as a protein source for small pets such as birds, reptiles, and small mammals [92], but has the potential to become a promising nutrient source for food and feed [51]. Over the last decade the literature on Z. morio as a nutrient source for food, livestock animal feed, and aquaculture has increased considerably [51,93,94]. To date, Z. morio is not listed in Regulation (EU) No 2017/893 and is therefore not officially authorized for inclusion in aquafeeds in the EU [27].…”

“…Other reports of viruses detected in G. mellonella concern a small spherical virus, Galleria free virus (GFV), isolated from G. mellonella [290]. The Galleria mellonella cell line virus (GmclV), apparently persistently infects the G. mellonella cell line (GmclV) and can be efficiently induced to replicate by the introduction of other insect viruses, causing complete death of the colony in 5 days [51]. The last two viruses reported in G. mellonella-Pariacoto virus and Heteronychus arator virus-show striking similarities to Nodamura virus [291].…”