Reared insects such as black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens (L.); Diptera: Stratiomyidae) and yellow
mealworm (YMW, Tenebrio molitor (L.); Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) can contribute to a more sustainable food
and feed system. However, the substrates on which these insects are reared may contain residues of
insecticides from agricultural use. Legal limits have been established for insecticides in food and feed products
in the European Union (EU), but toxicity for reared insects is not factored into the assessment. The potential
issues of the presence of insecticide residues in insect rearing substrates are threefold. Firstly, the presence of
insecticide residues may adversely affect survival and yield. This may result even from concentrations at or
below legal limits. These effects have been observed to be compounded by the presence of synergists as well
This is an economical issue for the insect farmers, as well as a
welfare issue for the reared insects. Secondly, insecticidal substances may accumulate in the larval biomass,
thereby presenting a food/feed safety or compliance issue. Most existing limits for insects as a food or feed
product are set at very low levels compared to the limits for feed commodities such as wheat, meaning that
even limited transfer from substrate to reared insects could result in non-compliance. Thirdly, exposure of
reared insects to dietary residues of insecticides may cause changes in the composition of the insects, at
macro- and micro-nutrient level, which would affect the nutritional quality of the insect products. Limited
research on these three issues is available, making it difficult for insect rearing organizations to make informed
choices for their rearing substrates. In the proposed project, several experimental studies will be conducted to
study these three issues for a variety of insecticidal substances and combinations. The project will deliver
concrete, species- and substance-specific recommendations for insect rearing organizations and suppliers of
Vegetable, fruits and grain substrates to monitor and mitigate these issues.

The primary objective of this project is to gain more knowledge on each of the three aforementioned issues
(survival/yield; transfer; nutritional composition). Focus in terms of insect species will be on BSFL and YMW.
This research will allow insect rearing organizations and suppliers of Vegetable, fruits and grain substrates to
determine more appropriate acceptable pesticide limits for their rearing substrates, in relation to the potential
consequences of exposure. Furthermore, it will provide first insights into concrete potential preventive and
corrective measures.