Grubs for Growth

As the global population continues its upward trajectory, projected to exceed 10 billion by 2050, our agricultural systems face unprecedented challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the growing demand for animal protein, with consumption of pork and poultry expected to increase by 105% and 173%, respectively, between 2010 and 2050 ¹ .

This surge creates enormous pressure on traditional protein feed ingredients like soybean meal and fish meal, leading to soaring costs and environmental concerns. But what if a solution could be found in an unexpected source—insects?

Enter the black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), Hermetia illucens L., a unassuming insect that's rapidly gaining attention as a sustainable, nutrient-rich alternative to conventional protein sources in livestock feed. These remarkable larvae offer a dual benefit: they can be reared on organic waste streams, contributing to a circular economy, while providing a high-quality nutritional profile that meets the demanding needs of young pigs during critical growth phases ^{1 5} .

The weaning process is notoriously stressful for piglets, involving separation from the sow, transition from milk to solid feed, and often relocation and mixing with unfamiliar piglets. This stress frequently manifests in poor feed intake, increased aggression, and oral manipulative behaviors like tail-biting ⁷ . Recent research has explored whether live BSFL could serve as effective environmental enrichment to alleviate these welfare concerns.

A fascinating 2021 study published in Scientific Reports investigated this exact question ⁷ . Researchers provided pairs of newly weaned piglets with either live BSFL or wood shavings (as a control) scattered throughout their pens twice daily for 11 days after weaning. The results were striking: piglets receiving live larvae showed increased floor-directed exploration and significant reductions in object-directed exploration, pig-directed oral manipulation, and fighting ⁷ .

Perhaps most notably, the study found that "larval provisioning increased floor-directed exploration and decreased object-directed exploration, pig-directed oral manipulation, fighting and eating of pellets, and reduced neophobia towards a novel object" ⁷ . This reduction in fearfulness toward new objects and situations represents an important welfare improvement during the challenging weaning transition.

Remarkably, despite eating fewer pellets, the piglets receiving larvae maintained similar total energy intake and growth rates because the larvae themselves provided substantial nutritional value ⁷ . This suggests that live BSFL can function as both nutritional source and behavioral enrichment, addressing two critical aspects of piglet welfare simultaneously.

The evidence supporting black soldier fly larvae as a valuable feed ingredient for young pigs continues to grow. From improved growth performance with BSFL oil supplementation to enhanced welfare through provision of live larvae, this innovative feed source offers multiple benefits that address both production and ethical concerns in modern pig farming ^{4 7} .

While challenges remain—including regulatory frameworks, cost-effectiveness, and consumer acceptance—the potential of BSFL to contribute to a more sustainable and efficient livestock industry is undeniable ¹ . As research expands to optimize inclusion levels, processing methods, and rearing substrates, we can expect to see greater adoption of this promising alternative protein source.

The humble black soldier fly, once overlooked, may well become a cornerstone of sustainable animal agriculture, demonstrating that sometimes the most advanced solutions come from nature's simplest designs. For young pigs facing the critical transition to independent feeding, these remarkable larvae offer a nutritional bridge that supports both physical development and behavioral well-being, pointing toward a future where productivity and animal welfare go hand in hand.