WO2021089657A1 - Procédé et système d'élevage d'insectes - Google Patents

Procédé et système d'élevage d'insectes Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2021089657A1
WO2021089657A1 PCT/EP2020/081027 EP2020081027W WO2021089657A1 WO 2021089657 A1 WO2021089657 A1 WO 2021089657A1 EP 2020081027 W EP2020081027 W EP 2020081027W WO 2021089657 A1 WO2021089657 A1 WO 2021089657A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
insects
container
plants
growth
plant
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2020/081027
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Marc André DE SAMBER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Signify Holding BV
Original Assignee
Signify Holding BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Signify Holding BV filed Critical Signify Holding BV
Publication of WO2021089657A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021089657A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K67/00—Rearing or breeding animals, not otherwise provided for; New or modified breeds of animals
    • A01K67/30—Rearing or breeding invertebrates
    • A01K67/34—Insects
    • A01K67/36—Industrial rearing of insects, e.g. insect farms
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
    • A01G9/14—Greenhouses
    • A01G9/16—Dismountable or portable greenhouses ; Greenhouses with sliding roofs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K67/00—Rearing or breeding animals, not otherwise provided for; New or modified breeds of animals
    • A01K67/30—Rearing or breeding invertebrates
    • A01K67/34—Insects
    • A01K67/36—Industrial rearing of insects, e.g. insect farms
    • A01K67/368—Feeding; Watering
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
    • Y02A40/10—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in agriculture
    • Y02A40/25—Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a method and a system for growing plants and insects.
  • the present disclosure relates to a method for cultivating insects, comprising providing herbivorous and/or omnivorous insects in a container for confining the insects, and providing plant material as feedstock for the insects.
  • the present disclosure relates to a system for cultivating insects according to the above-referenced method, comprising a container for confining herbivorous and/or omnivorous insects, one or more live plants in a plant growing medium, and a controller for controlling in at least part of the container at least one control parameter selected from temperature, humidity, illumination, air composition, feedstock for at least part of the insects, and nutrient composition in the plant growing medium.
  • insect protein is a potentially promising addition of protein from other sources such as meat, dairy and eggs. Also, insect (protein) can be used to feed livestock.
  • insects The environmental impact of insect production seems to be relatively low compared to alternative protein sources such as legumes, algae or laboratory meat, and presents a particularly environmentally-friendly option if insects can be fed using readily available feed (or even waste). Also, the conversion factor of nutrient to insect protein is high because insects are cold-blooded (so no energy is used to maintain an elevated core body temperature). Insect farming in general is much more environmentally friendly than traditional livestock farming (for greenhouse emissions, CO2 emission can be up to 100 times lower than for farm animals, and nitrogen emissions up to ten times lower).
  • insects can be eaten either alive or freshly killed as whole insect, or after processing them into a food source or extract.
  • microflora bacteria
  • Harmful toxins might be formed because of the degradation of the insect’s body tissues.
  • insects may be provided as fresh insects, in particular as whole and live insects.
  • the larvae or prepupae are the stages of interest for consumption, rather than the adult stages.
  • KR 101812211 B1 relates to a solar power generation container for plant cultivation and insect breeding and, more specifically, relates to a solar power generation container for plant cultivation and insect breeding, capable of efficiently maintaining optimal environments for plant cultivation and insect breeding as well as considerably reducing costs for maintenance by obtaining electric energy from solar power generation as a basic energy source for plant cultivation and insect breeding.
  • the solar power generation container comprises: a body part including a partition to divide a cultivation area and a breeding area; a planting part including a lighting unit installed in the cultivation area to emit an LED light source to seedlings, and forming a plant cultivation environment; an insect breeding part installed in the breeding area of the body, and forming a breeding environment in which insects are stored and raised; a temperature and humidity air conditioner comprising an air conditioning unit installed in the upper part of the body part and sending air formed at a set temperature and humidity, a temperature and humidity measurement unit measuring temperature and humidity in the body part; and a conditioning control part applying a control signal to the air conditioning unit in accordance with a measurement signal of the temperature and humidity measurement unit; and a solar power generation device installed in the body part, and generating electric energy to supply to the planting part, the breeding part, and the air conditioner by receiving solar light sources.
  • CN 102 523 974 A discloses a crop and insect co-cultivation box suitable for feeding herbivorous crop insects and cultivating crops at the same time.
  • the co-cultivation box comprises a plant raising tray for receiving soil and plants to grow, a nutrient supply system for supplying water and nutrients to the plants, a light source for providing light in the co-cultivation box, and a fan and a gauze covering the top of the co-cultivation box for removing heat from the light source out of the co-cultivation box.
  • the crop and insect co cultivation box can be applied to crop and insect interaction researches such as crop cultivation, insect raising, insect resistance of crop, and identifications on disease resistance of bacteriosis and virus of insect mediators.
  • the method comprises providing one or more live plants in a plant growing medium and exposed to the insects as the feedstock plant material, and controlling in at least part of the container at least one control parameter selected from temperature, humidity, illumination, air composition, additional feedstock for at least part of the insects, amount of the plant material and composition of at least part of the plant growing medium, for stimulating growth of the insects.
  • the system comprises that the live plants are arranged in the container to be exposed to the insects in the container as feedstock for the insects and that the controller is configured to control the least one control parameter for stimulating growth of the insects.
  • the container may be configured for confining at least the larvae and the controller may be configured to control the least one control parameter for stimulating growth of the larvae.
  • the insects are provided with fresh feedstock. This may improve health of the insects, and therewith quality of the insects for harvesting as foodstuff, compared to providing dead and/or decaying plant material as feedstock. It also may reduce risks of mould, fungi, odours, luring of pests, contamination of nearby objects and/or other unwanted aspects of decaying products and instead provide the pleasant atmosphere of a live plant.
  • the insects may be harvested for processing and/or consumption fresh.
  • provision of additional feedstock may be reduced to keeping the one or more plants alive, thus transportation of feedstock for cultivating insects may be minimized.
  • Live plants consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen and they produce humidity in their environment; thus, an atmosphere for (the larvae of) the insects may be maintained in good quality, in particular, in better quality than if the insects were to be provided with dead and/or decaying material to feed on.
  • insects consume oxygen and produce carbon dioxide, and they tend to thrive in dependence on humidity in their environment. Moreover excrements from (the larvae of) the insects may form a fertilizer for the one or more plants thus the plants may benefit from exposure to the insects.
  • the controlling may relate directly to the insects like one or more of temperature, humidity, illumination, air composition, additional feedstock for at least part of the insects.
  • the controlling may also relate indirectly to the insects and relate directly to (stimulating conditions for) the one or more plants: one or more of temperature, humidity, illumination, air composition, growth of the plant material; since a healthier and/or faster-growing plant tends to provide more and better quality food to the insects than a less healthy and/or slower growing plant, this improves health and/or growth of the insects, and in some cases possibly improves insect proliferation.
  • Growth of the plant may depend on composition of at least part of the plant growing medium, e.g.
  • insects at least in a larval stage, may thrive and grow best at different conditions than optimum for plant growth. This facilitates selective optimisation towards insect growth or towards plant growth.
  • plants need light to grow, as their growth is based on photosynthesis.
  • Larvae of insects and insects need food and high enough temperatures (as they are cold-blooded) for homeostasis and growth. Further, both plants and larvae require sufficiently well controlled other environmental conditions.
  • the co-existence and specific control of insect growth versus plant growth can therefore be arranged by stimulating plant growth by light and/or insect growth by food, at least predominantly being the food provided by the live plants.
  • Controlling the control parameters may ensure that the assembly of the insects and the one or more plants may be substantially free from other species that may be considered as contaminants to the assembly, e.g. undesired plant and/or insect species, fungi, parasites etc.
  • Sufficiently grown insects in particular at least part of the larvae and/or prepupae, may be harvested and used as, or for, food or feed for animals, including primates including humans. Note that it may be generally preferred to harvest the insects as larvae or prepupae, rather than as pupae or adult insects.
  • larvae since the larvae are generally the development stage in which most protein is amassed per individual insect and per unit of time, harvesting of larvae may be the most economic manner of cultivating insects; whereas larvae of most insect species may eat voraciously, pupation costs time and energy and adults may eat little or not at all, and/or feed on significantly different substances (e.g. leaf-eating larvae vs. nectar-drinking adults). The larvae may therefore benefit most from the advantageous aspects of providing fresh and living plant material as feedstock.
  • larva refers to any larval stage of the insect which may be referred to by different names: e.g. larva, maggot, mealworm, grub, caterpillar, inchworm, etc. Generally larvae of an insect species will grow and moult several times, an individual larval substage between successive moltings is commonly referred to as an “instar”. “Prepupa” refers to larvae in their final moulted larval stage (the final instar) which will transform themselves into the pupae, in turn developing into the adult stage (imago). Some insects may also develop further in the adult stage, possibly including molting as well.
  • Different instars of an insect species may have different characteristic appearances, e.g. with respect to patterning, colouring, number or shape of bristles and/or appendages. Further the number of moulting / instars between hatchling/neonate (larva as it emerges from an egg) and pupa tends to be insect species specific. Also, different instars may accept or prefer different types of feed. This may facilitate detection and/or controlling development of the insect growth; see also below.
  • the container serves to confine the insects.
  • the container may be configured for confining the insects in any life stage, in particular in an adult life stage, and the method may comprise allowing and/or urging the insects to multiply within the container.
  • a substantially closed circular method for cultivating insects may be provided, based on cohabitation of plants and insects. It is noted that some insects desire particular conditions for mating, e.g. with regard to one or more of temperature, light conditions, humidity of air, humidity of surfaces, and/or in particular with respect to air compositions such as scents, aerosols, pheromones, animal odours, plant odours signalling plant development stages, etc. In the container, such conditions may be (re-)created and/or mimicked in a controlled environment.
  • a suitable container may comprise at least in part a cage and/or a grid- structure providing one or more openings.
  • the container may comprise solid walls which may preferably be at least partly at least translucent, preferably transparent, e.g. plastic and/or glass, providing light to the one or more plants and/or facilitating observation of the plant(s) and insects.
  • a substantially enclosed container may facilitate defining and/or maintaining one or more of the control parameters.
  • the method may further comprise controlling in at least part of the container, preferably the part of the container in which the control parameters are controlled or at least are controllable for stimulating growth of the insects, at least one of the control parameters for stimulating growth of the at least one plant in dependence on at least one of growth of the insects and growth of the plant.
  • the controller may be configured to control at least one of the least one control parameters for stimulating growth of the one or more plants.
  • suitable temperature, humidity, and light etc. may be provided, see also discussion elsewhere herein; further, one or more of water, soil and fertilizers may be provided.
  • plants and insects at least in a larval stage, may flourish and grow best at different conditions.
  • Control at least one of the at least one control parameters for stimulating growth of the one or more plants facilitates selective optimisation towards plant growth.
  • stimulating growth of the one or more plants may provide that the plant produces plant material in synchronisation with growth of the insects and/or their feeding habits; this may ensure reduction of requirements for (additional) feedstock during cultivation, with an associated reduction of transport of such (additional) feedstock.
  • Additional feedstock may comprise nutritious substances and/or feedstock for different life stages such as sugar water for adults whereas the larvae feed on the one or more plants.
  • the method may further comprise controlling in at least part of the container at least one of the control parameters for selectively stimulating growth of the insects and/or growth of the at least one plant in dependence on at least one of growth of the plant and, respectively, growth of the insects; in particular controlling in at least part of the container at least one of the control parameters for selectively stimulating growth of the insects in dependence on the growth of the one or more plants or stimulating growth of the one or more plants in dependence on the growth of the insects.
  • it may be selected to stimulate growth of the insects for providing a rich insect harvest in case of sufficient growth of the plant(s), or, alternatively, it may be selected to stimulate growth of the one or more plants for keeping up with growth and feeding requirements of the insects.
  • insects Besides improving quality of the insects, by providing and maintaining both the insects and their food in live condition, some form of cohabitation or symbiosis may be achieved between both live forms, resulting in a recurrent and possibly predictable harvestable amounts of insects of such high quality.
  • condition of the insects and/or of the one or more plants, and where applicable growth thereof may be stimulated such that at a time when one or more insects of a particular development stage are ready for harvesting, e.g. larvae, preferably all larvae, the feedstock plant material may be finished and the one or more plants be effectively spent.
  • at least one of the control parameters is controlled such that at least one of the one or more plants survives and continues growing, possibly for repeated and/or continued performance of the method, the one or more plants providing the plant material as feedstock for one or more subsequent insect generations.
  • the system may enable running multiple and consecutive cycles for an extended period.
  • the number and/or size of the one or more plants, possibly together with their (predicted) growth parameters may be selected with respect to the (desired and/or predicted) growth and/or nutritional needs of the insects during the cultivation.
  • selective stimulation may comprise alternating periods of stimulating growth of the insects and stimulating growth of the one or more plants, so that the plant(s) can recuperate, for stimulating an optimum co-habitation and possibly an average equilibrium between insect growth and plant growth; an optimum control may be determined with respect to the combination of plants and insects, rather than focusing on growth of the insects or on that of the one or more plants.
  • selective stimulation may comprise providing periods of stimulating growth of only a particular stage of the insect life cycle and/or stimulating growth of the one or more plants and reducing or even preventing growth of at least one stage of the insects, e.g. for recovery of the one or more plants and/or for synchronising development of the insects, or at least several thereof, with respect to each other such as synchronised growing of the larvae and/or synchronised maturity for mating.
  • the method may comprise adjusting in at least part of the container at least one of the control parameters, for stimulating synchronisation of growth and/or development of plural individuals of the insects with respect to each other.
  • Such synchronisation of growth and/or development of plural individuals of the insects with respect to that of each other may comprise one or more of stimulating multiple insects to grow / develop at (substantially) the same rate, stimulating the insects to reach the same stage (e.g. a particular instar) simultaneously and/or to remain in a particular stage.
  • the system may comprise at least one detector for detecting in the at least part of the container at least one of a temperature, humidity, illumination, air composition, plant growth and composition of the plant growing medium, the controller and the detector being coupled for controlling in at least part of the container the at least one control parameter on the basis of one or more signals from the detector.
  • Suitable detectors may comprise at least one of a thermometer, hygrometer, gas analyser, weight sensor, light intensity meter, spectrograph, camera, etc.
  • the method may comprise detecting at least one plant life parameter of the at least one plant; and adjusting in at least part of the container at least one of the control parameters on the basis of the detected at least one plant life parameter.
  • the system may comprise at least one detector for detecting in the at least part of the container at least one insect life parameter of the insects and/or at least one detector for detecting in the at least part of the container at least one plant life parameter of the one or more plants.
  • Focus may be on growth of the insects or growth of the plant(s), but preferably, focus is on thriving of the assembly as a whole e.g. like a limited ecosystem, wherein the one or more plants are healthy and grow despite being eaten by the insects and the insects are healthy and grow stably and securely to provide a rich harvest.
  • the plant growth may be slower or faster than the eating of the insects but preferably it is stimulated such that the plant’s growth or growth rate matches the consumption or consumption rate of the insects so that an equilibrium is achieved.
  • a suitable detector may comprise a camera providing image data from at least part of the container; image data from the camera may be assessed by a human operator and/or be at least partly processed by an image processor and/or detection program for assessment of a condition and/or of growth of the plant and/or of the insects.
  • suitable life parameters of the at least one plant may comprise: size, number, density, shape, position, colour and/or turgor, etc.
  • suitable life parameters of the insects may comprise: size, number, density, colour, pattern, shape, state, development state and/or age distribution, reproduction rate, motility, of individual insects or rather groups of the insects, any of which may be considered with respect to the insects in one or more particular stages such as neonate larvae, larvae (one or more particular instars), prepupae, and/or adults, and in the latter case possibly, if the adults also moult one or more times, for one or more particular adult moulted stages.
  • Using (camera) vision is an option for one or more of detecting, measuring and evaluating the condition of the one or more plants.
  • Using vision is also an option for one or more of detecting, measuring and evaluating a condition of the insects, e.g. their mobility, growth rate, colouring, response to (simulated) threats.
  • account may be given for movement of the insects.
  • insects in any development phase
  • a camera may detect them.
  • feature recognition may be performed using any known computer vision method.
  • images or image data representative of images insects may be identified and/or quantitative and/or qualitative analysis may be performed, e.g. one or more of size, development stage and number of insects in one or more stages.
  • Counting individuals may comprise counting a number of recognized features and/or clustering these in clusters or groups.
  • the method may comprise providing a light source and providing illumination by the light source in at least part of the container, and controlling at least one of intensity and spectral power distribution, as a function of time and/or position in the part of the container. Controlling intensity as a function of position is also known as intensity distribution, for example in the part of the container.
  • Such control of illumination as a control parameter facilitates selective stimulation of growth of the insects and the one or more plants.
  • the system may comprise a light source for providing illumination by the light source in at least part of the container, wherein the controller is functionally connected with the light source and is configured for controlling at least one of intensity and spectral power distribution of the illumination as a function of time and/or position in the part of the container.
  • Intensity control may comprise providing relatively brightly-lit areas and/or relatively dark areas.
  • Bright areas may promote plant growth. Dark areas may be preferred by larvae, in particular in later developmental stages, believed to be an evolutionary safety mechanism to hide from view of predators (e.g. birds, in the wild). Relatively bright areas may therefore promote plant growth and reduce density of larvae. Relatively dark areas may be provided for increasing larvae-density and/or for attracting mature larvae; this may facilitate harvesting the larvae at such location. As indicated before, adult insects may prefer relatively brighter areas.
  • Plants and larvae tend to prefer, and/or thrive on, light of mutually different wavelengths and/or wavelength ranges.
  • infrared radiation may provide warmth.
  • different life stages (larva, prepupa, pupa, adult, possibly even: egg) may respond mutually differently to one or more of intensity and spectral power distribution.
  • larvae may eschew light in particular wavelength regions while the adult stage uses vision in the same or different wavelength regions for identifying suitable mates.
  • Short (blue) wavelengths may be harmful to insect larvae and in some cases, in particular when at high intensity, can even be lethal to younglarvae; however older larvae tend to be less susceptible.
  • insects are considered for use as human food and/or as feed for other animals in agriculture.
  • Particularly suitable insects for the present concepts may comprise black soldier fly (Hermetia Illucens), cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata), five-spotted hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculata), various types of butterfly and moths.
  • Adult insects that are considered as food and/or feed are e.g. grasshoppers (Acridomorpha) and locusts (Schistocerca gregaria).
  • insects and/or larvae feed on plants that are easy to cultivate such as cucumber (Cucumis sativus), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), cabbage types (Brassica) and grasses (Poaceae).
  • the black soldier fly (Hermetia Illucens) is particularly beneficial in that the larvae eat nearly all plant material, grow fast, are well sought-after fish and poultry food and are also considered tasty by many; the adults do not eat or sting and are no known pests or diseases carriers for livestock or humans.
  • it has a short life cycle of about 30- 40 days; a high fecundity of about 900 eggs per spawn; the larvae are harvestable about 10- 12 days after hatching; the larvae and prepupae have relatively low chitin content.
  • the one or more live plants may comprise herbs and/or leafy plants; these tend to be preferred by insects and insect larvae as they provide more nutritious plant material, provide more edible plant material, and (re-)grow faster than other plant types.
  • the one or more plants may comprise cucumber plants, squash plants, pumpkin plants, zucchini plant, tomato plants, etc. but also brassica and grasses ... (see also above).
  • Relevant parameters for assessing suitable feedstock plants may comprise: protein content, fibre content, starch content.
  • leafy plants may be selected: any type that has most of the following characteristics can be considered: strong; well growing and capable to cope with (high) numbers of larvae feeding on it (so the plant can recover sufficiently from feeding damage); containing the preferred nutrients for the larvae (protein, starch, fibre ratio); long enough lifespan (preferably at least one larvae harvest run; more preferably and in particular for prolonged cultivation or a closed system as discussed elsewhere herein, the plants should survive for longer periods and multiple larvae development cycles); non-toxic to the larvae, i.e. the plant(s) should not have built-in defence mechanisms for the insects (to be) cultivated.
  • the system may comprise, in or at least connected to the container, a receptacle for collecting at least one of larvae, prepupae and pupae. Then, the system may comprise a receptacle controller, at least part of the receptacle and the controller being connected and configured that at least part of the receptacle is controllable or controlled with respect to at least one of temperature, humidity, illumination, air composition.
  • At least part of the insects may be harvested by collecting the insects in a receptacle provided in or attached to the container.
  • a cup or a basket may be provided into which the insects may enter and be captured.
  • larvae may be unable to crawl out of a receptacle having sufficiently steep and/or non-sticky wall portions, e.g. near-vertical or even overhanging wall portions and/or walls having particular surface properties.
  • a receptacle may be formed by or provided with a canopy or shady entrance. Also or alternatively, part of the receptacle, e.g.
  • an entrance thereof may be marked by light of particular properties and/or particular smells e.g. pheromones.
  • a particular temperature may be provided wherein the temperature may be chosen to lure the insects for pupating.
  • at least part of the receptacle may be chilled to slow down further development of the larvae in the receptacle.
  • controlling one or more of light, air composition and/or quality, humidity and (in particular) temperature may also serve for preserving one or more insects in the receptacle.
  • Fig. 1 indicates a method of cultivating insects
  • Figs. 2 and 3 shown two phases of the method
  • Figs. 4-6 show different systems for cultivating insects
  • Fig. 7 indicates a method of cultivating insects.
  • a system and method are provided that allow locally growing live insects that can be easily harvested just before use by cultivating the insects on living plants as host and feed for the insects. More in particular, a method is provided that allows controlling the growth rate of the insects in conjunction with growing the plants (as the nutrients for the insects), allowing for timed harvesting.
  • the method assists in providing whole insects for food, since the insects are provided locally, alive and fresh prior to use.
  • a system is provided that allows locally growing live insects that can be easily harvested just before use. Living plants are provided as host and feed for the insects. Controlling the growth rate of the insects and the plant nutrients for the insects may allow for timed harvesting.
  • a closed circular method of insect/larvae/insect generation based on co-habitation with the host plant is provided.
  • the method and approach allow local production (near the user) of insects, such that the user can harvest and process/consume the insects at the preferred place and time. This solves the issue of degrading tissues (and hence food quality and food safety are increased). Also, an ecological source of locally produced nutrients for the insects is provided, such that neither pre-processing nor transportation of feed to the culturing site is required.
  • Figs. 1, 2 and 3 indicate a simple embodiment e.g. for home and/or residential use and may be based on manual picking of the larvae at the moment of harvesting. Such embodiment may make use of single runs of plants and larvae.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a method and Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate a system 100 in two phases of the method.
  • step A one or more plants 1 in a pot 3 or other container containing soil or growing substance may be populated with eggs 5 and/or with neonate larvae 7 and placed in a container 9 for containing insects, thus providing a system 100 (Figs. 1, 2). This may be done by a supplier of the populated plant(s) so that a pre populated plant may be sold.
  • step B a phase of co-growth/development of the plants 1 and larvae 11 may be sustained until grown larvae 13 can be harvested in step C (Figs. 1, 3).
  • the system 100 might be fully cleared by removal/disposal of plant(s) 1 and any remaining larvae 11 and/or possible pupae 15 in step D. Easy/simple composting is possible, e.g. in the case of use of the black soldier fly as the insect species.
  • a fresh set of eggs and/or neonate larvae may be obtained from a supplier and the plant 1 may be repopulated to start anew.
  • the grown larvae 13 may be harvested all together and the plant(s) 1 may be disposed of without hatching of adult insects, even if any larvae and/or pupae 15 might have been “missed” in the harvest and remain with the plant 1.
  • the container 9 may be re-filled with a new pre-populated plant or, possibly depending on the material or materials of the container 9, discarded and possibly at least in part be recycled or even composted.
  • Fig. 4 shows another system 200 similar to system 100 of Figs 2-3; comprising an optional control system, e.g. comprising a controller 19 comprising one or more light sources 21 for controlling illumination of at least part of the interior of the container and/or a controller 23 for controlling temperature may be provided, allowing timing of growth and, hence, harvesting of larvae.
  • an optional control system e.g. comprising a controller 19 comprising one or more light sources 21 for controlling illumination of at least part of the interior of the container and/or a controller 23 for controlling temperature may be provided, allowing timing of growth and, hence, harvesting of larvae.
  • the container may need only be configured for containing larvae.
  • Fig. 5 shows a slightly more complex system 300 which may still be single run based (plant + eggs only used once).
  • the system 300 comprises an optional controller 25 functionally connected with a controller 19 and light sources 21 and functionally connected with temperature controller 23 to control illumination and/or temperature in at least part of the container 9.
  • the system 300 comprises optional further illumination controllers 27 and light sources 29 for providing illumination of different colours and/or spectral power, functionally connected to the controller 25.
  • the controller 25 may comprise a timer and a memory for operating the system 300 to control the illumination and/or temperature in accordance with a development cycle of the insects and the plant on the basis of data in the memory.
  • the memory may comprise a look-up table and may be (re programmable, e.g. based on previous results.
  • a system may comprise a relatively dark chamber or box 31 towards which the mature larvae 13 may migrate and which may serve as receptacle for the larvae. Taking advantage of the innate drive of mature larvae to move away from a ground and look for higher places, the receptacle may be provided with a ramp 33 for climbing of the larvae 13.
  • Fig. 6 shows a (semi-)closed system 400.
  • Such closed system might be either a self-controlled and self-propagating system, or intermediate interfaces might be chosen.
  • the plants 1 could be maintained during a long period and multiple insect cycles would run with that plant infrastructure, i.e., the container 409 should be configured for confining the insects of all or at least most stages, like eggs 5, neonate larvae 7, developed larvae 11, mature larvae and prepupae 13, pupae 15 and adults 35.
  • the entire insect life cycle may be managed, including pupating; hatching, eating, flying and/or crawling of adults; mating by adults; and egg laying (ovipositioning).
  • Dedicated structures for ovipositioning and/or pupating and/or hatching from pupae may be provided (not shown).
  • urging and/or luring into a receptacle may be employed as described above, possibly assisted by shaking the larvae off the plant(s) 1.
  • Hand- and/or machine-picking of mature larvae may also be employed.
  • any suitable technique may be used such as luring the adults with pheromones and/or light and/or temperature into a catching device e.g. a fyke net, but also, in particular in case of flying adults, using vacuum suction. It should be noted that vacuum suction could also be used for harvesting larvae.
  • the system 400 is provided with an optional camera 37 serving for detecting at least one insect life parameter and at least one plant life parameter.
  • the camera 37 may be functionally connected to the controller 25 and/or to the light sources 21, 29 and their controllers 19, 27, and/or to other systems, possibly remote.
  • Fig. 7 indicates a method of cultivating insects with the system 400:
  • Step 7A providing herbivorous and/or omnivorous insects in a container for confining the insects and providing plant material as feedstock for the insects in the form of one or more live plants in a plant growing medium and exposed to the insects.
  • Step 7B detecting at least one insect life parameter of the insects and adjusting in at least part of the container at least one of the control parameters on the basis of the detected at least one insect life parameter for stimulating growth of the insects, the control parameter being selected from temperature, humidity, illumination, air composition, additional feedstock for at least part of the insects, amount of the plant material and composition of the plant growing medium.
  • Step 7C detecting at least one plant life parameter of the at least one plant; and adjusting in at least part of the container at least one of the control parameters on the basis of the detected at least one plant life parameter, the control parameter being selected from temperature, humidity, illumination, air composition, additional feedstock for at least part of the insects, and composition in the plant growing medium.
  • step 7C may be done in parallel to step 7B and/or in any other sequence, based on whether it is desired to control the at least one insect life parameter and/or the at least one plant life parameter.
  • Steps 7B and/or 7C may be repeated and/or alternated such that growth and development of plural individuals of the insects are synchronised with each other. For example, lowering temperature may essentially halt development of (larvae of) most insect species and bright light may both improve plant growth and hinder insect development. Conversely, increasing temperature and adjusting an illumination level may increase insect development.
  • Step 7D harvesting of insects in a desired development stage.
  • Step 7E optional detecting at least one plant life parameter of the at least one plant; and adjusting in at least part of the container at least one of the control parameters on the basis of the detected at least one plant life parameter, for recuperation of the one or more plants.
  • At least parts of the sequence 7A-7E may be repeated one or more times.
  • the method and system in particular system 400, may be provided with additional and new plants if need be.
  • part of the control of the system might be interrupted and/or be manually controlled.
  • a programmable controller may be provided which may predict growth on the basis of historical data and/or detector signals and control the system for controlled production of an insect harvest abundance.
  • control and/or detection may be implemented as a program product for use with a computer system, where the program(s) of the program product define functions of the embodiments (including the methods described herein).
  • the program(s) can be contained on a variety of non-transitory computer-readable storage media, where, as used herein, the expression “non-transitory computer readable storage media” comprises all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory, propagating signal.
  • the program(s) can be contained on a variety of transitory computer-readable storage media.
  • Illustrative computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to: (i) non-writable storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive, ROM chips or any type of solid-state non-volatile semiconductor memory) on which information is permanently stored; and (ii) writable storage media (e.g., flash memory, floppy disks within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive or any type of solid-state random-access semiconductor memory) on which alterable information is stored.
  • non-writable storage media e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive, ROM chips or any type of solid-state non-volatile semiconductor memory
  • writable storage media e.g., flash memory, floppy disks within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive or any type of solid-state random-access semiconductor memory
  • insects are often used as (additional) feed for fish or animals (e.g. for poultry).
  • the present concepts may be used as a front-end to e.g. a closed mixed farming model (combining horticulture, insect cultivation and aquaculture/agri culture).
  • a direct feed-in of larvae to e.g. a poultry feeing apparatus and/or an aquaculture basin might be provided.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)

Abstract

La présente divulgation a trait à un procédé et à un système pour la culture de plantes et d'insectes. En particulier, la présente divulgation concerne un procédé d'élevage d'insectes (5, 11, 15, 35) qui comprend la fourniture d'insectes herbivores et/ou omnivores dans un récipient (409) afin de contenir les insectes, et la fourniture d'un matériau végétal vivant (1) en tant que matière première d'alimentation pour les insectes. Le procédé comprend la fourniture d'une ou de plusieurs plantes vivantes dans un milieu de culture de plante et exposées aux insectes en tant que matière végétale d'alimentation, et la commande dans au moins une partie du récipient d'au moins un paramètre de régulation choisi parmi la température, l'humidité, l'éclairage, la composition de l'air, une matière première d'alimentation supplémentaire pour au moins une partie des insectes, la quantité du matériau végétal et la composition du milieu de culture de plante, afin de stimuler la croissance des insectes et/ou de la ou des plantes vivantes, plus précisément afin de stimuler sélectivement la croissance des insectes en fonction de la croissance de la ou des plantes ou de stimuler sélectivement la croissance de la ou des plantes en fonction de la croissance des insectes. L'invention concerne également un système (400) d'élevage d'insectes.
PCT/EP2020/081027 2019-11-07 2020-11-05 Procédé et système d'élevage d'insectes Ceased WO2021089657A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19207609 2019-11-07
EP19207609.9 2019-11-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2021089657A1 true WO2021089657A1 (fr) 2021-05-14

Family

ID=68502847

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2020/081027 Ceased WO2021089657A1 (fr) 2019-11-07 2020-11-05 Procédé et système d'élevage d'insectes

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2021089657A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN117178961A (zh) * 2023-10-16 2023-12-08 扬州大学 一种检测植食性昆虫取食选择行为效应的装置及方法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR19990079066A (ko) * 1998-04-01 1999-11-05 김강권 호랑나비의 실내 대량증식법
KR20100037482A (ko) * 2008-10-01 2010-04-09 이상현 나비의 실내 짝짓기 및 대량 채란용 구조물
CN102523974A (zh) 2012-03-06 2012-07-04 南京农业大学 一种作物昆虫共育箱
LU100403B1 (en) * 2017-09-07 2017-12-21 Anxi Haihong Biotechnology Co Ltd Breeding chamber for culturing black soldier fly imagoes
KR101812211B1 (ko) 2017-05-25 2017-12-26 엄정일 식물재배 및 곤충사육을 위한 태양광 발전 컨테이너

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR19990079066A (ko) * 1998-04-01 1999-11-05 김강권 호랑나비의 실내 대량증식법
KR20100037482A (ko) * 2008-10-01 2010-04-09 이상현 나비의 실내 짝짓기 및 대량 채란용 구조물
CN102523974A (zh) 2012-03-06 2012-07-04 南京农业大学 一种作物昆虫共育箱
KR101812211B1 (ko) 2017-05-25 2017-12-26 엄정일 식물재배 및 곤충사육을 위한 태양광 발전 컨테이너
LU100403B1 (en) * 2017-09-07 2017-12-21 Anxi Haihong Biotechnology Co Ltd Breeding chamber for culturing black soldier fly imagoes

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN117178961A (zh) * 2023-10-16 2023-12-08 扬州大学 一种检测植食性昆虫取食选择行为效应的装置及方法

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9844223B2 (en) Hermetia illucens frass production and use in plant nutrition and pest management
McGavin Insects
EP2846632B1 (fr) Systèmes confinés constituant un lieu de reproduction pour hermetia illucens
CN105165734B (zh) 一种褐带卷蛾茧蜂规模化繁殖的方法
CN103109781B (zh) 一种台湾甲腹茧蜂人工繁育方法
CN111480621B (zh) 一种嗜尸性甲虫的收集和实验室饲养方法
CN102150644B (zh) 一种抗肿瘤蝇幼虫的培养方法
CN106508794A (zh) 一种蟾蜍早繁育高产立体化工厂养殖方法及应用
CN104996364A (zh) 蝇蛆的人工养殖方法
KR102276453B1 (ko) 동애등에의 우화장
Coudron et al. Bugbook: Basic information and good practices on how to maintain stock populations for Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens for research
CN106804531B (zh) 黄缘闭壳龟从亲龟孵化到成龟的综合养殖方法
WO2021089657A1 (fr) Procédé et système d'élevage d'insectes
CN103798191A (zh) 一种防治杨梅果园果蝇使用家蝇蝇蛹替代果蝇蝇蛹繁育寄生蜂的方法
Cloutier Edible insects in Africa: an introduction to finding, using and eating insects
Majerus et al. Ladybirds as teaching aids: 1 Collecting and culturing
Burakowski Laboratory methods for rearing soil beetles (Coleoptera)
Fraser et al. The effects of LED daylength extensions on the fecundity of the pest aphid Myzus persicae and the daily activity patterns of its parasitoid, Aphidius matricariae
Tanton et al. Aspects of the biology of the eucalypt-defoliating chrysomelid beetle Paropsis atomaria Ol. in the Australian Capital Territory.
Stadler et al. Fly colony establishment, quality control and improvement
Fu et al. Life cycle and behaviour of the aquatic firefly Luciola leii (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) from Mainland China1
JPH09117233A (ja) 鳥類の飼育方法
Coudron et al. Production practices
Brereton The behavioural biology of invertebrates
Sirimungkararat Eri silkworm rearing in Thailand

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 20799722

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 20799722

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1