U Amala, MS Yandigeri, P Pannikar, PK Jesna and F Khan
The practice of using insects as feed was commonly practiced in countries like Nigeria (Banjo et al., 2006), Mexico (Ramos-Elorduy et al., 2006), Thailand (Yhoung Aree et al., 1997) and Africa. Insects are rich source of protein, vitamins and minerals and can serve as good candidate as feed supplements for poultry and fishes. They were reported to have rich food conversion ratio compared to cattle. To produce of 1 kg of high-quality animal protein, livestock need about 6 kg of plant protein (Pimentel and Pimentel, 2003).
Need for alternative insect protein sources : Urbanization across the globe with growing population has a direct correlation with the growing per capita meet demand. Meat production depends upon the availability of high protein coarse grains and quality fodder. Aquaculture industries solely rely upon fish meal and soymeal as a protein source in the preparation of aquacultural feed. An estimate of 30% of total fish catch was converted into fish meal or fish oil for use as ingredients in aquacultural feed (Ogunji et al., 2006). The percentage of fish meal and soymeal feed in feed ingredients was increasing globally coupled with scarce availability. There is an increasing need to harness alternate protein supplements for use in feed ingredients wherein insects could be a viable choice.
Insects as a component in feed–a global scenario : Mealworms, black soldier flies, housefly maggots, grasshoppers, larvae and pupae of silkworm and termites were reported to be widely used as protein supplements in aquaculture and broiler feeds. In particular, black soldier flies in addition to be utilized as feed also degrades organic wastes by converting them into nutrient rich manure.
Case study on utilization of black soldier flies as an aquacultural feed : Feeding trials on GIFT Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) using black soldier fly prepupae was performed at ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru, Karnataka in collaboration with ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata. The results revealed that fishes fed with BSF incorporated diet showed significant higher mean weight gain, specific growth rate and food conversion ratio on par with commercial fish meal diet.
Future thrust areas of utilization of insects as food and feed : Insect as feed though a well utilized concept among the different countries, in India it is under explored. The nutrient profile of insects along with the analysis on essential amino acids which is a lacking element in commercial soymeal used in animal feeds has to be investigated for efficiently promoting insects for food and feed. The feed sector of utilizing insects as feed for poultry and aquaculture is leading compared to food sectors in developed countries. The reason might be inclusion of insects as a feed ingredient in aquaculture and aviculture is not much concern as fishes and poultry feed on worms and maggots in their natural habitats. Development of legal framework at national level with proper safety testing adhering to the guidelines and clearance by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has to be made to convince the people for entomophagy. Detailed studies on digestibility of insect protein and effect of chitin content in insect meal on digestive effect needs to be undertaken to promote insects as a feed component. The writers are with ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Regional Centre, Bengaluru For further details contact:- Public Relations & Media Management Cell, CAU, Imphal. Email:
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