Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer operated Insect Production Superstructure Systems (IPSS) may be used to produce insects for human and animal consumption, and for the extraction and use of lipids for applications involving medicine, nanotechnology, consumer products, and chemical production with minimal water, feedstock, and environmental impact. An IPSS may comprise modules including feedstock mixing, enhanced feedstock splitting, insect feeding, insect breeding, insect collection, insect grinding, pathogen removal, multifunctional flour mixing, and lipid extraction. An IPSS may be configured to be constructed out of a plurality of containerized modules.

An object of the present invention is to provide a composition for promoting sleep, that enables an increase of the sleep amounts in the overall night and in the initial stage of the night, a decrease of the sleep onset latent time, and an increase of the length of a sleep episode, and that is excellent in the stability and the safety. Another object of the present invention is to provide a food, a drug, and a feed that each include the composition for promoting sleep. The composition for promoting sleep is characterized in that the composition for promoting sleep includes a microorganism belonging to either Bifidobacterium adolescentis or Lactobacillus plantarum, or a culture thereof as an active ingredient.

An artificial feeding system for maintenance and growth of hematophagous insects is disclosed to comprise a blood-free diet formulation and a feeding device. The blood-free diet formulation comprises effective amounts of a protein source and a carbohydrate source, wherein the blood-free diet formulation is suitable for egg production and colony maintenance of hematophagous insects. The feeding device comprises a diet reservoir for receiving the blood-free diet formulation and a feeding platform for hematophagous insects to feed the blood-free diet formation from the diet reservoir.

An artificial feeding system for maintenance and growth of hematophagous insects is disclosed to comprise a blood-free diet formulation and a feeding device. The blood-free diet formulation comprises effective amounts of a protein source and a carbohydrate source, wherein the blood-free diet formulation is suitable for egg production and colony maintenance of hematophagous insects. The feeding device comprises a diet reservoir for receiving the blood-free diet formulation and a feeding platform for hematophagous insects to feed the blood-free diet formation from the diet reservoir.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for increasing the fitness of insects for agriculture or commerce, wherein the composition includes a postbiotic agent (e.g., a short chain fatty acid).

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for increasing the fitness of insects for agriculture or commerce, wherein the composition includes a postbiotic agent (e.g., a short chain fatty acid).

A composition for use thereof in the prophylaxis of microbial pathological conditions affecting the growth of insects for breeding, the composition including essentially at least one strain of bacterium of the Bacillus genus, the strain being chosen from: a strain of Bacillus subtilis strain NOL01 as deposited with the CNCM on Mar. 14, 2012 under number CNCM I - 4606, and a strain of Bacillus belonging to the same operational taxonomic unit as the NOL01 strain, or a mixture thereof.

A composition for use thereof in the prophylaxis of microbial pathological conditions affecting the growth of insects for breeding, the composition including essentially at least one strain of bacterium of the Bacillus genus, the strain being chosen from: a strain of Bacillus subtilis strain NOL01 as deposited with the CNCM on Mar. 14, 2012 under number CNCM I - 4606, and a strain of Bacillus belonging to the same operational taxonomic unit as the NOL01 strain, or a mixture thereof.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for inducing suspended animation in neonate larvae of beneficial fly, particularly larvae of the Black soldier fly. During the suspended animation, the larvae show extended shelf-life and improved shipment durability. The suspended animation is reversible, and upon exposure to standard rearing conditions the larvae reach comparable maturity to corresponding non-suspended larvae.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for inducing suspended animation in neonate larvae of beneficial fly, particularly larvae of the Black soldier fly. During the suspended animation, the larvae show extended shelf-life and improved shipment durability. The suspended animation is reversible, and upon exposure to standard rearing conditions the larvae reach comparable maturity to corresponding non-suspended larvae.