Paving the way for genetic and environmental optimisation of insects for food and feed

Mass-production of insects for food and feed has been proposed as a sustainable alternative to traditional animal protein sources and a means to reduce the significant impact of current food production on climate, ecosystems, and biodiversity. This potential is largely due to the insects’ ability to efficiently convert low-value substrates, including various waste and by-products, into valuable biomass suitable for food and feed purposes. Given the novelty of the field, there is substantial untapped potential for improving insect production through modifications of various production-relevant traits within insect populations.

By examining environmental and genetic factors that shape insect populations, this thesis explores diverse and innovative approaches to enhance populations of black soldier flies and house flies. Effects of various diets are evaluated, trait heritabilities, correlations, and genotype-by-environment interactions are assessed, and a selective breeding experiment to genetically improve a population of houseflies is conducted. These efforts offer new insights and hold promise for further advancing the field of insect production for food and feed.