"Nutritional value
The researchers identified three insects as most promising for large scale production. These are larvae of the Black soldier fly (Hermetica illucens), the Common housefly (Musca domestica), and the Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor). These insects need to be further processed in order to get insects into a form in which they are usable in the feed industry. Shelf life of insects is increased significantly by processing methods like freezing/freeze drying, however these methods are expensive. Compared to soybean meal, crude protein content of black soldier fly larvae and prepupae is lower, whereas that for mealworm and housefly is equal or higher. Fat content varies considerably among insects and can be substantial. There is a need for evaluation of nutrient digestibility of (processed) insects as feed ingredient. Potential beneficial functional properties of insect protein need to be further investigated in order to create an added value for insect protein. The Essential Amino Acid Index of the three insects in this study are above one, indicating that these protein sources provided in general more of the essential amino acids than required for broilers as well as growing pigs. For full replacement of soybean meal in fattening pig and broiler diets, large quantities (685 kiloton annually) of insects are required. Replacing 5% in compound feed for broilers means that 72 kiloton of insects a year is required."