Commission on Insects

The commercial insect sector is relatively new and the sector is facing with many research questions for further innovation of the insect chain. The Study Commission on Insects addresses all questions in the area of biomass as substrate for insect rearing, nutritional requirements of insects, insect production, ethical aspects, processing methods of insect products, feeding value of insects (products) in animal feed, functional properties of insect products in animal feed, market applications, regulatory issues, consumer acceptance, environmental and socio-economic sustainability. Frequent joint sessions will be organized with other Study Commissions addressing different disciplines, such as animal genetics, physiology, nutrition, animal health and welfare.

Working groups 

The Insect Commission has two working groups established during EAAP 2019 in Ghent:

1. Standardization of methods, parameters and terminology in insect research (chaired by David Deruytter)
2. Nutrition for insects as well as insects as feed ingredient in feed for livestock (chaired by Laura Gasco)

The Insect Study Commision is the European specific network in the field of insects as feed, food and non-food and is an excellent opportunity to obtain the latest knowledge, making new contacts, creating a broader network and offers a platform for larger initiatives of collaboration.

For the full publication’s list, please visit the Official Website

Elahi, J. Wang, Y. Ma, S. Wu, J. Wu, G. Qi, H. Zhang. 2020. Evaluation of Yellow Mealworm Meal as a Protein Feedstuff in the Diet of Broiler Chicks. https://doi.org/doi:10.3390/ani10020224

Sypniewski, B. Kierończyk, A. Benzertiha, Z. Mikołajczak, E. Pruszyńska-Oszmałek, P. Kołodziejski, M. Sassek, M. Rawski, W. Czekała, D. Józefiak. 2020. Replacement of soybean oil by Hermetia illucens fat in turkey nutrition: effect on performance, digestibility, microbial community, immune and physiological status and final product quality. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2020.1716302

Biasato, I. Ferrocino, S. Dabbou, R. Evangelista, F. Gai, L. Gasco, L. Cocolin, M.T. Capucchio, A. Schiavone. 2020. Black soldier fly and gut health in broiler chickens: insights into the relationship between cecal microbiota and intestinal mucin composition. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-019-0413-y

Caimi, L. Gasco, I. Biasato, V. Malfatto, K. Varello, M. Prearo, P. Pastorino, M.C. Bona, D.R. Francese, A. Schiavone, A.C. Elia, A.J.M. Dörr, F. Gai. 2020. Could Dietary Black Soldier Fly Meal Inclusion Affect the Liver and Intestinal Histological Traits and the Oxidative Stress Biomarkers of Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) Juveniles? https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010155.

Hoffmann, M. Rawski, S. Nogales-Merida, J. Mazurkiewicz. 2020. Dietary inclusion of Tenebrio molitor meal in sea trout larvae rearing: effects on fish growth performance, survival, condition, and GIT and liver enzymatic activity. https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2020-0002

Star, T. Arsiwalla, F. Molist, R. Leushuis, M. Dalim, A. Paul. 2020. Gradual Provision of Live Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae to Older Laying Hens: Effect on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Feather Condition and Behavior. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020216

Chemello, M. Renna, C. Caimi, I. Guerreiro, A. Oliva-Teles, P. Enes, I. Biasato, A. Schiavone, F. Gai, L. Gasco. 2020. Partially Defatted Tenebrio molitor Larva Meal in Diets for Grow-Out Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum): Effects on Growth Performance, Diet Digestibility and Metabolic Responses. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020229

Li, T.M. Kortner, E.M. Chikwati, I. Belghit, E.J. Lock, Å. Krogdahl. 2020. Total replacement of fish meal with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal does not compromise the gut health of Atlantic salmon (Salmosalar). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.734967

Ites, S. Smetana, S. Toepfl, V. Heinz. 2020. Modularity of insect production and processing as a path to efficient and sustainable food waste treatment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119248

A.J. da Silva Lucas, L.M. de Oliveira, M. da Rocha, C. Prentice. 2020. Edible insects: An alternative of nutritional, functional and bioactive compounds. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.126022

• Preparation of the draft scientific program for the annual EAAP meeting, selecting the themes to be included in the program, preparing the call for abstracts and review of the received abstracts and establishing chairs for the different sessions.
• Dissemination of the activities of the Insect SC
• Managing the Insect Website
• Creating strong links with industries
• Creating a European platform for consortia to participate to EU projects
• Planning of workshops
• The planned sessions

1. Developing and implementing a network with all the actors of the insect-producing cycle
2. Creating working groups and collaborations for innovative researches in this field
3. Sharing acquired knowledge to scientific community, stakeholders, and civil society
4. Identifying future trends or developments and standardization
5. Integration and collaboration with other bodies (EU Commission for legislation issues, etc.)