The production and consumption of insects as human food or as livestock feed is considered a resource capable of having a positive impact on food security and the environment. From the perspective of human consumption, entomophagy has a long history of application.
The Practice Abstract titled “How to produce Galleria mellonella in a small-scale insect farm” was prepared by authors Elisa Appolloni, Agata Morelli, Santolo Francati, Caterina Peri, Francesco Orsini, and Maria Luisa Dindo from our partner UNIBO under the FrontAg Nexus project, supported by the European Union’s PRIMA programme. This document explores the cultivation of Galleria mellonella, also known as the honey worm, for its potential as a sustainable and nutritious feed source for livestock and, in some regions, for human consumption. The abstract details a cost-effective rearing process in climatic chambers that simulate the natural conditions of a beehive, focusing on temperature, humidity, and darkness. It highlights the high fecundity and nutritional value of G. mellonella larvae, and outlines the production cycle from egg to larvae, emphasising the possibility of using this insect species to alleviate food security issues due to its low environmental impact and the minimal resources required for farming.
