Research progress on feeding technologies of the insects as animal feed

With the growing global population and the increasingly prominent contradiction between food resource supply and demand, insect as animal feed resources, as a potential protein source, have garnered significant attention. The precise control of environmental parameters and feed supply during the rearing process is the core technical requirement for ensuring the high-quality standards of insect as animal feed products. This article reviews the key factors for artificial rearing of five insects as animal feed with relatively mature techniques and large-scale breed, namely black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), fly maggot, yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), locust, and superworm (Zophobas morio). It reviews the critical aspects of insect artificial rearing such as substrate, temperature, humidity, and lighting, as well as the technical essentials for indoor full-cycle breeding. Using the black soldier fly and the oriental migratory locust (Locusta migratoria manilensis) as examples, it further analyzes the current status and challenges in large-scale insect breeding, discussing how to optimize rearing techniques and enhance industrial benefits, providing references and suggestions for promoting the development of the insect as animal feed industry.