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ViewAttendees 3

Member Symposium

Science Policy

Food for Thought: State of the Art Research and Needs for Promoting Insects as Food and Feed

Debugging a new mini-livestock commodity: Advancing insects as an alternative protein source through a USDA-ARS Grand Challenge research approach

Sunday, November 5, 2023
1:35 PM – 1:55 PM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor 3
In-Person
An increase in global population, food insecurity issues, and global warming demands an increased food/feed output from available agro-ecosystems while decreasing environmental impact. Feed production accounts for 45% of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock and is prone to supply disruptions. Insects have the potential to increase livestock sustainability and meet production needs by serving as an alternative protein source for animal diets. Insect meals are rich in protein, unsaturated fats, vitamins and minerals. Research is needed to ensure safe and reliable insect production and adoption of insect-based diets for food animal species. ARS has implemented a systematic approach to coordinate research towards insect meal as a novel protein source. The Insect Grand Challenge includes 47 ARS scientists representing 23 Research Units across the US and Greece, as well as academic and industry partners. This team is developing a model of insect production that incorporates economics, sustainable ecological insect production systems, including quality assurance of rearing insects on waste diets. Research focuses on Insect Production, Harvesting of Wild Insects, Insect Diseases, Mycotoxin Remediation by Insects, Food Safety, Value-Add of Insect Products, and Insect use in Aquaculture. The team has pioneered the field of insect pathology, developed a high throughput screening pipeline to identify pathogenic microbes and viruses in insect colonies, innovated a novel mass trap for harvesting wild insects, investigated the suitability of insects for poultry and fish diets, and more. Data gained provide valuable information to support the US insect ag industry as a new livestock commodity.