Recent studies and independent trials have shown that Black Soldier Fly (BSF) meal can be effectively included in aquafeeds at levels of 5% to 10% with positive results in growth performance, feed conversion ratios, and most importantly improved survival rates. In many cases, it has led to improvements in overall well-being of species such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). In short, healthier animals are also a benefit for the producers who can have higher yields due to less loss.
Entomologist – Head of BSF Farming
Flylab
The aquaculture industry faces growing global demand for seafood, but their current ingredients make it hard to continue on this path while staying sustainable. One piece of the puzzle could and should be insect protein. Hermetia illucens also known as the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) is more than just a new ingredient on the shelf; it is a functional ingredient that enables a circular approach by upcycling agro-industrial waste.
COMPARING PROTEIN SOURCES: THE NEED FOR A BALANCED APPROACH
In aquafeed formulation, ingredients like soybean meal and fishmeal are often compared based on their protein content and cost. Fishmeal, derived from marine sources, is rich in essential amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids, making it highly digestible and palatable for many aquatic species. On the other hand, soybean meal, a plant-based protein, is more affordable and abundant but comes with anti-nutritional factors and a less optimal amino acid profile for carnivorous species like salmon.
Both ingredients serve different purposes; fishmeal is used for its quality and digestibility, whereas soybean is primarily a cost-effective filler that requires balancing with other ingredients.
The same should apply to BSF meal: evaluating it solely on its protein percentage misses the value it can bring to the formulation. While contributing a high-quality protein, it will also include bioactive compounds, including antimicrobial peptides, lauric acid and chitin, all of which can promote gut health and immune response.
Rather than traditionally comparing BSF meal as a one-to-one replacement for either fishmeal or soybean meal, feed formulators should consider it as part of a balanced diet. The end diet can have functional benefits, sustainable impact, be palatable and accepted by regulatory standards. The future of aquafeed will not depend on replacing one ingredient with another, but integrating different ingredients that can function together.
PROVEN RESULTS IN AQUAFEED INCLUSION
Recent studies and independent trials have shown that BSF meal can be effectively included in aquafeeds at levels of 5% to 10% with positive results in growth performance, feed conversion ratios, and most importantly improved survival rates. In many cases, it has led to improvements in overall well-being of species such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). In short, healthier animals are also a benefit for the producers who can have higher yields due to less loss.
In addition, black soldier fly meal’s digestibility and palatability have also made it a promising ingredient in early life stage feeds, where nutrition is critical to long-term performance.
CONSUMER PERCEPTION OF INSECT FED FISH
A growing number of consumers are not only accepting of insect-fed fish and shrimp but are actively preferring them. Studies such as the 2020 paper by Lombardi et al. in the journal Foods and the 2021 report from the European Commission-funded SUSINCHAIN project indicate that consumers, particularly those concerned with sustainability, are more inclined to purchase seafood fed with insect-based proteins.
An independent trial by Aller Aqua found that 67% of participants in consumer sensory tests preferred the taste of salmon fed with insect-based formulation.
These studies suggest that species fed with insect meal grow better and can even taste better. Another reason to find a balance between ingredients and start formulating aquafeeds slightly differently and incorporating BSF meal.
LEARNING FROM THE INDUSTRY’S MISSTEPS
Despite the strong technical and environmental case for BSF meal, one major pain point the BSF industry faces is the lack of produce to reach the demand for the aquaculture market. Aquafeed producers require stable quality and quantity which the insect industry has yet failed to deliver.
Some early pioneers have collapsed under the weight of high CapEx, overpromising, and underdelivering. These failures have been magnified in the public eye, casting doubt on the viability of BSF. These companies invested heavily in R&D, and it is important to thank them for developing and testing technologies to grow the insect industry as a whole.
However, it is also important to note this industry is still in its early stages, and failures—though inevitable—can be a blessing in disguise. They provide valuable lessons and should be used as teachable moments. At Flylab, we believe in learning from these experiences to build more efficient, and scalable solutions.
Our BSF protein meal consistently contains a minimum of 60% protein, a benchmark that allows us to compete effectively in aquafeed formulations while maintaining a competitive price of around $2,000 per ton.
This pricing strategy, coupled with a quality-focused approach, has enabled us to provide real value to feed manufacturers. It is now imperative that BSF producing companies fit the aquaculture specifications to create a solution that can please all parties.
The insect industry has now matured enough to be a viable and competitive solution.
REGULATORY PROGRESS, BSF’S FULL POTENTIAL
Traditionally, many countries restricted BSF rearing to substrates to feed-grade materials, limiting the insect’s full potential as a waste upcycler. This limitation not only increased production costs, but also limited one of BSF’s most important sustainability advantages: Its ability to eat organic waste, diverting it from landfill and transforming it into high-value protein.
Scientific research has consistently demonstrated that BSF larvae can safely consume a wide range of organic waste substrates without posing risks to animal or human health. Multiple risk assessments, including studies by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), have confirmed that, when managed under controlled conditions, BSF production using non-feed-grade waste does not lead to bioaccumulation of heavy metals, pathogens, or contaminants in the final insect meal.
The regulatory changes will unlock access to low-cost, abundant organic waste such as post-consumer waste, allowing to further lower the price of BSF products and help staying true to the environmental mission that drives our industry forward.
MOVING FORWARD, FROM ALTERNATIVE TO ESSENTIAL
As feed ingredient markets continue to evolve under the pressure of climate change, supply chain disruptions, and consumer expectations, BSF meal is moving from being seen as an “alternative” to a standard, yet more functional, ingredient in aquafeed formulations.
Insect producing companies have now mostly standardized their offerings, and it is possible to find a whole panel of different BSF protein meals, some with more fat, some with more bioactive compounds, some with higher concentration of protein. Each company produces slightly different products that enable a fit to different species with different needs. Global feed companies are now also developing diets and supplements tailored for BSF larvae. While this will take time and research, insect meal will be a major ingredient in aquafeed in the coming years.
It is crucial that aquafeed companies continue their efforts and work closely with insect producers to find the right fit.
In summary, with regulatory support, scientific validation, and increasing consumer demand, BSF is no longer a niche option; it is a necessity. BSF is not here to replace fishmeal or soy. It is here to redefine what a protein source can be. At Flylab and across the emerging BSF sector, we are building a new vision for feed, one that is circular, sustainable, and aligned with the expectations of today’s consumers.
About Aubin Bernard
With more than 6 years of insect rearing experience in laboratories and industrial set-ups, Aubin is passionate about insects and nature conservation. Having kept over 200 total different species, Aubin Bernard now focuses solely on Black Soldier Flies.
Currently based in Bangkok, Aubin is a French self-taught entomologist who chose hands-on experience over academia.
