BugBook: Considerations for designing and performing insect larvae production experiments

This article of the BugBook provides guidance and addresses challenges towards conducting experiments that aim to optimize the production of insects f for f food and f feed, f focusing exclusively on Tenebrio molitor (yellow mealworm) and Hermetia illucens (black soldier fl fly). The goal is to improve the reliability, reproducibility, and efficiency of insect production experiments. This reduces the human and fi financial resources needed, improves quality, and ensure the broader implementation of the results. Importantly, these guidelines are based on both data f from literature and f from unpublished experiences of the authors. Most aspects of the experimental systems are discussed, starting with methods to ensure that the laboratory conditions correct, f followed by the experimental design and setup, including a f focus on the control group, scale, and number of replicates. Thereafter, information is provided on the different aspects that need to be monitored during the experiment and how to conclude or harvest an experiment. The latter includes a discussion on the various criteria f for determining the optimal harvest time. Finally, common challenges in working on insect larvae are identified and guidelines towards relevant publication information are provided.