When Do We Start Caring About Insect Welfare?

Abstract

The world is facing an incoming global protein shortage due to existing malnutrition and further rapid increases in population size. It will however be difficult to greatly expand traditional methods of protein production such as cattle, chicken and pig farming, due to space limitations and environmental costs such as deforestation. As a result, alternative sources of protein that require less space and fewer resources, such as insects and other invertebrates, are being sought. The Neotropics are a key area of focus given the widespread prevalence of entomophagy and developing animal welfare regulations. Unlike vertebrate livestock however, insect “minilivestock” are typically not protected by existing animal welfare regulations. This is despite the fact that the evidence is mounting that insects possess “personalities”, may experience affective states analogous to emotions and feel something like pain. In this forum article, we highlight this discrepancy, outline some of the emerging research on the topic and identify areas for future research. There are various empirical and ethical questions that must be addressed urgently while insect farming is ramped up around the globe. Finally, we describe the benefits and also potential costs of regulation for insect welfare.

Anesthesia and humane euthanasia methods for king worm larvae (Zophobas morio)

“…If king worms are to be used as a commercial food source, humane euthanasia methods that do not render them inedible are required. Additionally, large numbers of individuals would be needed to be culled for production (Barrett et al, 2023; Klobučar & Fisher, 2022). Future studies could evaluate mortality associated with isoflurane exposure times greater than 24 h as well as additional secondary methods such as CO 2 and freezing at −80°C or in liquid nitrogen.…”

“…While physical methods such as pithing and decapitation are viable options for vertebrate species, the decentralization or lack of a central nervous system in many invertebrates makes these methods unlikely to be effective (Zachariah, 2022). Additionally, euthanasia by boiling may decrease nutritional value of mealworms ( Tenebrio molitor ) and black soldier fly larvae, which is undesirable if insects are to be utilized as a protein source (Barrett et al, 2023; Klobučar & Fisher, 2022). As there are few ethical guidelines regarding use of invertebrates as live food and rearing practices for production, future studies ought to evaluate welfare and practical considerations before physical methods of euthanasia are employed for an invertebrate animal.…”

“…They are commonly used as feed for vertebrates under human care, and the nutritional value of king worm meal in the diet of commercially reared fish, broiler chickens, and weaning piglets has been assessed in recent research (Rumbos & Athanassiou, 2021). Additionally, insect meal has also been proposed as an alternative protein source in human food (Barrett et al, 2023; De Goede, 2013; Delvendahl et al, 2022; Klobučar & Fisher, 2022; Rumbos & Athanassiou, 2021). Despite this, there are few ethical guidelines regarding use of invertebrates as food for humans or animals (Barrett et al, 2023; Delvendahl et al, 2022; Keller, 2017; Klobučar & Fisher, 2022).…”

“…Additionally, insect meal has also been proposed as an alternative protein source in human food (Barrett et al, 2023; De Goede, 2013; Delvendahl et al, 2022; Klobučar & Fisher, 2022; Rumbos & Athanassiou, 2021). Despite this, there are few ethical guidelines regarding use of invertebrates as food for humans or animals (Barrett et al, 2023; Delvendahl et al, 2022; Keller, 2017; Klobučar & Fisher, 2022).…”

New frontiers in animal welfare science: an introduction to (farmed) insects

“…9 As such, this industry has been the focus of significant recent academic attention regarding animal welfare. [10][11][12] Trillions of insects are currently farmed as food for human consumption or as feed for vertebrate livestock, with the goal of providing more sustainable protein to feed a growing human population. 13 The major species farmed are black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens; Diptera), yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor; Coleoptera) and several species of crickets (the most popular being the house cricket Acheta domesticus; Orthoptera).…”