Focus on Insect Rearing Methodology to Promote Scientific Research and Mass Production

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Physiology, Reproduction and Development".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 36890

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Guest Editor
Division of Plant Science & Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
Interests: insect nutrition; metabolomics; toxicology; insect artificial diet development; corn rootworm resistance management
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Guest Editor
USDA Agricultural Research Service, Washington, DC, USA
Interests: insect nutrition; biochemistry; physiology; genomics of biological control agents

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Guest Editor
USDA-ARS Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, 1503 S. Providence Rd., Columbia, MO 65201, USA
Interests: insect nutrition; biochemistry; insect predator rearing; biological control

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The ability to produce insects has a broad impact on human lives in a wide array of areas including insect pest and weed management, human and veterinary medicine, insect production for food and nutrient supplements, as well as research and education. Artificial diets allow for the mass production of insects in simpler, highly controlled, cost-effective, and more convenient ways compared to natural foods. Ideal artificial diets can ultimately serve as suitable substitutes for natural foods and support the production of insects physically and behaviorally similar to those from nature. Often, the use of artificial diets results in more uniform and consistent production of high-quality insects for research and field applications. New multi-omics technologies (transcriptomics, nutrigenomics, metabolomics, etc.), increased knowledge of microbiomes, and the manipulation of nutrigenomic analysis and statistical optimization modeling have enabled advances in diet formulation. These advances have resulted in a better understanding of the effects of the food stream ingredients on the insect’s physiological and biochemical functions, in addition to promoting the production of high-quality insects.

 

For this Special Issue, we are seeking original submissions and reviews in the field of insect rearing on artificial diets: development, commercialization, and novel research applications.

Dr. Man P. Huynh
Dr. Kent S. Shelby
Dr. Thomas A. Coudron
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • insect rearing methodology
  • artificial diet
  • mass production

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 187 KiB  
Editorial
Recent Advances in Insect Rearing Methodology to Promote Scientific Research and Mass Production
by Man P. Huynh, Kent S. Shelby and Thomas A. Coudron
Insects 2021, 12(11), 961; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12110961 - 22 Oct 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2193
Abstract
The benefits obtained from our ability to produce insects have encompassed a wide array of applications, from the early stages of examining different species, to the present day of mass production for multiple purposes [...] Full article

Research

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16 pages, 2026 KiB  
Article
Enterobacter sp. AA26 as a Protein Source in the Larval Diet of Drosophila suzukii
by Katerina Nikolouli, Fabiana Sassù, Spyridon Ntougias, Christian Stauffer, Carlos Cáceres and Kostas Bourtzis
Insects 2021, 12(10), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12100923 - 09 Oct 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2131
Abstract
The Spotted-Wing Drosophila fly, Drosophila suzukii, is an invasive pest species infesting major agricultural soft fruits. Drosophila suzukii management is currently based on insecticide applications that bear major concerns regarding their efficiency, safety and environmental sustainability. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is [...] Read more.
The Spotted-Wing Drosophila fly, Drosophila suzukii, is an invasive pest species infesting major agricultural soft fruits. Drosophila suzukii management is currently based on insecticide applications that bear major concerns regarding their efficiency, safety and environmental sustainability. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an efficient and friendly to the environment pest control method that has been suggested for the D. suzukii population control. Successful SIT applications require mass-rearing of the strain to produce competitive and of high biological quality males that will be sterilized and consequently released in the wild. Recent studies have suggested that insect gut symbionts can be used as a protein source for Ceratitis capitata larval diet and replace the expensive brewer’s yeast. In this study, we exploited Enterobacter sp. AA26 as partial and full replacement of inactive brewer’s yeast in the D. suzukii larval diet and assessed several fitness parameters. Enterobacter sp. AA26 dry biomass proved to be an inadequate nutritional source in the absence of brewer’s yeast and resulted in significant decrease in pupal weight, survival under food and water starvation, fecundity, and adult recovery. Full article
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14 pages, 3107 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Thermal and Time Exposure to Improve Artificial Diet for Western Corn Rootworm Larvae
by Man P. Huynh, Adriano E. Pereira, Ryan W. Geisert, Michael G. Vella, Thomas A. Coudron, Kent S. Shelby and Bruce E. Hibbard
Insects 2021, 12(9), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12090783 - 01 Sep 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2060
Abstract
The western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera LeConte, is the most serious pest of maize in the United States. In pursuit of developing a diet free of antibiotics for WCR, we characterized effects of thermal exposure (50–141 °C) and length of exposure on [...] Read more.
The western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera LeConte, is the most serious pest of maize in the United States. In pursuit of developing a diet free of antibiotics for WCR, we characterized effects of thermal exposure (50–141 °C) and length of exposure on quality of WCRMO-2 diet measured by life history parameters of larvae (weight, molting, and survival) reared on WCRMO-2 diet. Our results indicated that temperatures had non-linear effects on performance of WCRMO-2 diet, and no impacts were observed on the length of time exposure. The optimum temperature of diet processing was 60 °C for a duration less than 30 min. A significant decline in development was observed in larvae reared on WCRMO-2 diet pretreated above 75 °C. Exposing WCRMO-2 diet to high temperatures (110–141 °C) even if constrained for brief duration (0.9–2.3 s) caused 2-fold reduction in larval weight and significant delays in larval molting but no difference in survival for 10 days compared with the control diet prepared at 65 °C for 10 min. These findings provide insights into the effects of thermal exposure in insect diet processing. Full article
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9 pages, 767 KiB  
Article
Growth Performance, Waste Reduction Efficiency and Nutritional Composition of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae and Prepupae Reared on Coconut Endosperm and Soybean Curd Residue with or without Supplementation
by Nichaphon Pliantiangtam, Pipatpong Chundang and Attawit Kovitvadhi
Insects 2021, 12(8), 682; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12080682 - 29 Jul 2021
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3310
Abstract
Black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) larvae are considered as insects with a high potential to convert organic waste into high-value products. The objective of this study was to investigate the growth performance, waste reduction efficiency, and nutritional composition of BSF reared [...] Read more.
Black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) larvae are considered as insects with a high potential to convert organic waste into high-value products. The objective of this study was to investigate the growth performance, waste reduction efficiency, and nutritional composition of BSF reared on different ratios of coconut endosperm (C) and soybean curd residue (S), with or without supplementation, compared to standard diets (Gainesville: G and starter chicken diet: CK). Seven-day-old larvae were randomly divided into eight experimental groups (G, CK, and three different ratios of C and S with or without supplementation) with three replicates with an equal weight of larvae. The supplement contained calcium, phosphorus, amino acids, and a mineral–vitamin premix which was formulated to correlate with CK. Each replicate was terminated, measured, and evaluated when 40% of larvae had reached prepupal stage. The highest larval weight gain was presented in BSF fed CK, followed by those fed coconut endosperm and soybean curd residue at a ratio of 20:80 (C20S80), and coconut endosperm and soybean curd residue at a ratio of 50:50 (C50S50) without supplementation (numbers after C and S represent their percentage in the formulation; p < 0.001). Harvesting was delayed in the BSF fed C80S20 with and without supplementation (p < 0.001). The number of total larvae and prepupae was not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05). The greatest waste reduction efficiency was observed in the G, C50S50, and C20S80 groups without supplementation (p < 0.001). All groups with supplementation had a higher proportion of ash in both larvae and prepupae compared to non-supplemented groups (p < 0.001), but lower growth performance. The highest percentage of crude protein in larvae was presented in the Gainesville and C20S80 groups followed by the CK and C50S50 groups (p < 0.001). Equal proportions of C and S without supplementation are suggested as a rearing substrate. However, growth performance was lower than for CK; therefore, further studies could investigate cost-efficient techniques to promote this parameter. Full article
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13 pages, 1683 KiB  
Article
Effect of Prey Species and Prey Densities on the Performance of Adult Coenosia attenuata
by Deyu Zou, Thomas A. Coudron, Lisheng Zhang, Weihong Xu, Jingyang Xu, Mengqing Wang, Xuezhuang Xiao and Huihui Wu
Insects 2021, 12(8), 669; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12080669 - 23 Jul 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1775
Abstract
Mass production of Coenosia attenuata Stein at low cost is very important for their use as a biological control agent. The present study reports the performance of C. attenuata adults when reared on Drosophila melanogaster Meigen or Bradysia impatiens (Johannsem). Different densities (6, [...] Read more.
Mass production of Coenosia attenuata Stein at low cost is very important for their use as a biological control agent. The present study reports the performance of C. attenuata adults when reared on Drosophila melanogaster Meigen or Bradysia impatiens (Johannsem). Different densities (6, 9, 15, 24 and 36 adults per predator) of D. melanogaster or (6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 adults per predator) of B. impatiens were used at 26 ± 1 °C, 14:10 (L:D) and 70 ± 5% RH. The results concluded that C. attenuata adults had higher fecundity, longer longevity and less wing damage when reared on B. impatiens adults compared to D. melanogaster adults. Additionally, C. attenuata adults demonstrated greater difficulty catching and carrying heavier D. melanogaster adults than lighter B. impatiens adults. In this case, 12 to 24 adults of B. impatiens daily per predator were considered optimal prey density in the mass rearing of adult C. attenuata. Full article
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13 pages, 1450 KiB  
Article
Horizontal Honey-Bee Larvae Rearing Plates Can Increase the Deformation Rate of Newly Emerged Adult Honey Bees
by Juyeong Kim, Kyongmi Chon, Bo-Seon Kim, Jin-A Oh, Chang-Young Yoon, Hong-Hyun Park and Yong-Soo Choi
Insects 2021, 12(7), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12070603 - 01 Jul 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4457
Abstract
Rearing honey bee larvae in vitro is an ideal method to study honey bee larval diseases or the toxicity of pesticides on honey bee larvae under standardized conditions. However, recent studies reported that a horizontal position may cause the deformation of emerged bees. [...] Read more.
Rearing honey bee larvae in vitro is an ideal method to study honey bee larval diseases or the toxicity of pesticides on honey bee larvae under standardized conditions. However, recent studies reported that a horizontal position may cause the deformation of emerged bees. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the emergence and deformation rates of honey bee (Apis mellifera ligustica) larvae reared in horizontal and vertical positions. The study was conducted under the same laboratory conditions with three experimental groups, non-capped or capped horizontal plates and capped vertical plates. However, our results demonstrated that the exhibited adult deformation rates of the horizontal plates were significantly higher (27.8% and 26.1%) than those of the vertical plates (11.9%). In particular, the most common symptoms were deformed wings and an abnormal abdomen in the horizontal plates. Additionally, adults reared on horizontal plates were substantially smaller (10.88 and 10.82 mm) than those on vertical plates (11.55 mm). Considering these conclusions, we suggest that a vertical rearing method is more suitable when considering the deformation rates of the control groups to verify the sublethal effects of pesticides on honey bees. Full article
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12 pages, 626 KiB  
Article
Effect of Cold Storage on the Quality of Psyttalia incisi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a Larval Parasitoid of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)
by Jia Lin, Deqing Yang, Xuxing Hao, Pumo Cai, Yaqing Guo, Shuang Shi, Changming Liu and Qinge Ji
Insects 2021, 12(6), 558; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060558 - 16 Jun 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 1858
Abstract
Psyttalia incisi (Silvestri) is the dominant parasitoid against Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) in fruit-producing regions of southern China. Prior to a large-scale release, it is important to generate a sufficient stockpile of P. incisi whilst considering how best to maintain their quality and performance; [...] Read more.
Psyttalia incisi (Silvestri) is the dominant parasitoid against Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) in fruit-producing regions of southern China. Prior to a large-scale release, it is important to generate a sufficient stockpile of P. incisi whilst considering how best to maintain their quality and performance; cold storage is an ideal method to achieve these aims. In this study, the impacts of temperature and storage duration on the developmental parameters of P. incisi pupae at different age intervals were assessed. Then, four of the cold storage protocols were chosen for further evaluating their impacts on the quality parameters of post-storage adults. Results showed that the emergence rate of P. incisi was significantly affected by storage temperature, storage duration, and pupal age interval and their interactions. However, when late-age P. incisi pupae developed at a temperature of 13 °C for 10 or 15 d, no undesirable impacts on dry weight, flight ability, longevity, reproduction parameters of post-storage adults, emergence rate, or the female proportion of progeny were recorded. Our findings demonstrate that cold storage has the potential for enhancing the flexibility and effectiveness of the large-scale production and application of P. incisi. Full article
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14 pages, 3338 KiB  
Article
Effects of Different Nitrogen Sources and Ratios to Carbon on Larval Development and Bioconversion Efficiency in Food Waste Treatment by Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens)
by Yan Lu, Shouyu Zhang, Shibo Sun, Minghuo Wu, Yongming Bao, Huiyan Tong, Miaomiao Ren, Ning Jin, Jianqiang Xu, Hao Zhou and Weiping Xu
Insects 2021, 12(6), 507; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060507 - 31 May 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4611
Abstract
Biowaste treatment by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens) has received global research interest and growing industrial application. Larvae farming conditions, such as temperature, pH, and moisture, have been critically examined. However, the substrate carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), one of [...] Read more.
Biowaste treatment by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens) has received global research interest and growing industrial application. Larvae farming conditions, such as temperature, pH, and moisture, have been critically examined. However, the substrate carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), one of the key parameters that may affect larval survival and bioconversion efficiency, is significantly less studied. The current study aimed to compare the nitrogen supplying effects of 9 nitrogen species (i.e., NH4Cl, NaNO3, urea, uric acid, Gly, L-Glu, L-Glu:L-Asp (1:1, w/w), soybean flour, and fish meal) during food waste larval treatment, and further examine the C/N effects on the larval development and bioconversion process, using the C/N adjustment with urea from the initial 21:1 to 18:1, 16:1, 14:1, 12:1, and 10:1, respectively. The food wastes were supplied with the same amount of nitrogen element (1 g N/100 g dry wt) in the nitrogen source trial and different amount of urea in the C/N adjustment trial following larvae treatment. The results showed that NH4Cl and NaNO3 caused significant harmful impacts on the larval survival and bioconversion process, while the 7 organic nitrogen species resulted in no significant negative effect. Further adjustment of C/N with urea showed that the C/N range between 18:1 and 14:1 was optimal for a high waste reduction performance (73.5–84.8%, p < 0.001) and a high larvae yield (25.3–26.6%, p = 0.015), while the C/N range of 18:1 to 16:1 was further optimal for an efficient larval protein yield (10.1–11.1%, p = 0.003) and lipid yield (7.6–8.1%, p = 0.002). The adjustment of C/N influenced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD, p = 0.015), whereas exerted no obvious impact on the larval amino acid composition. Altogether, organic nitrogen is more suitable than NH4Cl and NaNO3 as the nitrogen amendment during larval food waste treatment, addition of small amounts of urea, targeting C/N of 18:1–14:1, would improve the waste reduction performance, and application of C/N at 18:1–16:1 would facilitate the larval protein and lipid bioconversion process. Full article
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15 pages, 2178 KiB  
Article
Self-Selection of Agricultural By-Products and Food Ingredients by Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Impact on Food Utilization and Nutrient Intake
by Juan A. Morales-Ramos, M. Guadalupe Rojas, Hans C. Kelstrup and Virginia Emery
Insects 2020, 11(12), 827; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11120827 - 24 Nov 2020
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 3274
Abstract
Nutrient self-selection was used to determine optimal intake ratios of macro-nutrients by Tenebrio molitor L. larvae. Self-selection experiments consisted of 9 combinations (treatments) of 8 ingredients, from a total of 20 choices, radially distributed in a multiple-choice arena presented to groups of 100 [...] Read more.
Nutrient self-selection was used to determine optimal intake ratios of macro-nutrients by Tenebrio molitor L. larvae. Self-selection experiments consisted of 9 combinations (treatments) of 8 ingredients, from a total of 20 choices, radially distributed in a multiple-choice arena presented to groups of 100 T. molitor larvae (12th–13th instar). Larvae freely selected and feed on the pelletized ingredients for a period of 21 days at 27 °C, 75% RH, and dark conditions. Consumption (g) of each ingredient, larval live weight gained (mg), and frass production were recorded and used to calculate food assimilation and efficiency of conversion of ingested food. The macro-nutrient intake ratios were 0.06 ± 0.03, 0.23 ± 0.01, and 0.71 ± 0.03 for lipid, protein, and carbohydrate, respectively on the best performing treatments. The intake of neutral detergent fiber negatively impacted food assimilation, food conversion and biomass gain. Food assimilation, food conversion, and biomass gain were significantly impacted by the intake of carbohydrate in a positive way. Cabbage, potato, wheat bran, rice bran (whole and defatted), corn dry distillers’ grain, spent brewery dry grain, canola meal and sunflower meal were considered suitable as T. molitor diets ingredients based on their relative consumption percentages (over 10%) within treatment. Full article
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18 pages, 2862 KiB  
Article
Gene Characterization and Enzymatic Activities Related to Trehalose Metabolism of In Vitro Reared Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) under Sustained Cold Stress
by Xin Lü, Shi-chou Han, Zhi-gang Li, Li-ying Li and Jun Li
Insects 2020, 11(11), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11110767 - 07 Nov 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2039
Abstract
Trichogramma spp. is an important egg parasitoid wasp for biocontrol of agriculture and forestry insect pests. Trehalose serves as an energy source or stress protectant for insects. To study the potential role of trehalose in cold resistance on an egg parasitoid, cDNA for [...] Read more.
Trichogramma spp. is an important egg parasitoid wasp for biocontrol of agriculture and forestry insect pests. Trehalose serves as an energy source or stress protectant for insects. To study the potential role of trehalose in cold resistance on an egg parasitoid, cDNA for trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) and soluble trehalase (TRE) from Trichogramma dendrolimi were cloned and characterized. Gene expressions and enzyme activities of TdTPS and TdTRE were determined in larvae, prepupae, pupae, and adults at sustained low temperatures, 13 °C and 16 °C. TdTPS and TdTRE expressions had similar patterns with higher levels in prepupae at 13 °C and 16 °C. TdTPS enzyme activities increased with a decrease of temperature, and TdTRE activity in prepupae decreased sharply at these two low temperatures. In vitro reared T. dendrolimi could complete entire development above 13 °C, and the development period was prolonged without cold injury. Results indicated trehalose might regulate growth and the metabolic process of cold tolerance. Moreover, 13 °C is the cold tolerance threshold temperature and the prepupal stage is a critical developmental period for in vitro reared T. dendrolimi. These findings identify a low cost, prolonged development rearing method, and the cold tolerance for T. dendrolimi, which will facilitate improved mass rearing methods for biocontrol. Full article
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Other

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20 pages, 653 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Influence of Food Waste Rearing Substrates on Black Soldier Fly Larvae Protein Composition: A Systematic Review
by Indee Hopkins, Lisa P. Newman, Harsharn Gill and Jessica Danaher
Insects 2021, 12(7), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12070608 - 04 Jul 2021
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 7289
Abstract
The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) offers the potential to address two global challenges; the environmental detriments of food waste and the rising demand for protein. Food waste digested by BSF larvae can be converted into biomass, which may then be utilized for the [...] Read more.
The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) offers the potential to address two global challenges; the environmental detriments of food waste and the rising demand for protein. Food waste digested by BSF larvae can be converted into biomass, which may then be utilized for the development of value-added products including new food sources for human and animal consumption. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies investigating the influence of food waste rearing substrates on BSF larvae protein composition. Of 1712 articles identified, 23 articles were selected for inclusion. Based on the results of this review, BSF larvae reared on ‘Fish waste Sardinella aurita’ for two days reported the highest total protein content at 78.8% and BSF larvae reared on various formulations of ‘Fruit and vegetable’ reported the lowest protein content at 12.9%. This review is the first to examine the influence of food waste on the protein composition of BSF larvae. Major differences in larval rearing conditions and methods utilized to perform nutritional analyses, potentially influenced the reported protein composition of the BSF larvae. While this review has highlighted the role BSF larvae in food waste management and alternative protein development, their application in nutrition is still in its infancy. Full article
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