Search

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 promo

During the last decade the potential of insects for human nutritional protein is increasingly recognised. Direct consumption of insects contributes to a reduction of the ecological footprint of human food production and is claimed to have health benefits. An alternative is feeding poultry (broilers and layers) with insect-derived protein. This offers several additional advantages, e.g. a more extensive use of (new sources) of organic by-products of food industry for insect production. Implementation of a People-Planet-Profit (PPP) sustainable way of utilising these opportunities requires the development of sustainable business models. Such business models need to be based on the opportunities of insect-derived protein in feeding poultry but should also include the risks associated with insect-derived protein for feeding poultry. This article explores the insect-fed poultry production value chain through an interdisciplinary approach. First, the essential features of this value chain are described. Then, an inventory and classification is made of the main opportunities and risks of this value chain. Finally, the opportunity-risk trade-offs are discussed, as well as their implications for developing sustainable business models. We conclude that for PPPsustainable business models, management of the asymmetric trade-offs between opportunities and risks related to possible contamination of organic by-products used as substrate for insect production should receive prime attention. Implications for organising the value chain are discussed.

During the last decade the potential of insects for human nutritional protein is increasingly recognised. Direct consumption of insects contributes to a reduction of the ecological footprint of human food production and is claimed to have health benefits. An alternative is feeding poultry (broilers and layers) with insect-derived protein. This offers several additional advantages, e.g. a more extensive use of (new sources) of organic by-products of food industry for insect production. Implementation of a People-Planet-Profit (PPP) sustainable way of utilising these opportunities requires the development of sustainable business models. Such business models need to be based on the opportunities of insect-derived protein in feeding poultry but should also include the risks associated with insect-derived protein for feeding poultry. This article explores the insect-fed poultry production value chain through an interdisciplinary approach. First, the essential features of this value chain are described. Then, an inventory and classification is made of the main opportunities and risks of this value chain. Finally, the opportunity-risk trade-offs are discussed, as well as their implications for developing sustainable business models. We conclude that for PPP-sustainable business models, management of the asymmetric trade-offs between opportunities and risks related to possible contamination of organic by-products used as substrate for insect production should receive prime attention. Implications for organising the value chain are discussed.