Insect farming has been highlighted as a climate-friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional agriculture. By addressing both production efficiency, environmental impact, and consumer attitude and skepticism, we will provide critical information needed to ensure to continue growth of economic and environmental value to the circular economy, i.e. contribute to green transition. This project focuses on Black Soldier Flies (BSF), an insect that has proved useful for generating high value protein and fatty acids for food and feed from different low quality by-products. As insects are new as domestic animals, research is needed to address knowledge gaps in both biology, production, and barriers of consumer dis-familiarity and skepticism.

• We propose that production (of essential proteins, fatty acids and anti-microbial peptides) and environmental impact (greenhouse gas, GHG, release) can be significantly optimized at a large-scale production level by a novel two-pronged approach focusing on both the genetic background of the BSF and the associate microbiota.
• We will characterize the scope for manipulation of growth- and bio-conversion efficiency, disease resistance, and GHG release at controlled and production scale conditions. While the insect production sector will benefit from this project, the created value can only be activated if consumers accept these new products.
• We suggest that adequate communication of the benefits and familiarization with the concept of circular economy will increase consumer acceptance.