Described herein are engineered cells, enzymes, methods of use, and bee bread incorporating engineered cells and enzymes as described herein. In certain aspects, described herein are a bacterium containing therein one or more stably-expressing expression vectors for exogenous expression of one or more recombinant carboxylesterase enzymes or oxalate decarboxylase enzymes, thereby providing the engineered cell an exogenous pathway for hydrolyzing ester bonds or removing a carboxyl group. Engineered cells and recombinant enzymes as described herein can be incorporated into bee bread to be fed to a member of the Apidae family of bees or of the Apis or Bombus genus. In additional aspects, such bacteria can also be selected and amplified from the milieu of the hive microorganisms and in some cases they can be molecularly bred to enhance their metabolic capabilities without genetic engineering.

The present invention relates to a mite composition, the rearing thereof and to the use of the composition for controlling crop pests. The invention provides a mite composition comprising: —a rearing population of a phytoseiid predatory mite species, —a population of at least one species from the order Astigmata, and —optionally a carrier, wherein the population of the species from the order Astigmata is not alive. In particular the population of the species from the order Astigmata is in fast frozen fom1. The composition is used for controlling crop pests, such as thrip species. The crops may be greenhouse grown crops and open field crops.

The present invention relates to a mite composition, the rearing thereof and to the use of the composition for controlling crop pests. The invention provides a mite composition comprising: —a rearing population of a phytoseiid predatory mite species, —a population of at least one species from the order Astigmata, and —optionally a carrier, wherein the population of the species from the order Astigmata is not alive. In particular the population of the species from the order Astigmata is in fast frozen fom1. The composition is used for controlling crop pests, such as thrip species. The crops may be greenhouse grown crops and open field crops.

An animal food composition comprising cannabis and two or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of insects, a fiber-starch material, a binding agent, a density improving textural supplement, and a moisture improving textural supplement is described. The animal food composition may include bacteria, fungi, water, fermentation waste, spent microorganisms, an alcohol production coproduct, scales of fish, soft tissues of fish, radulae of mollusks, taurine, a fatty acid, or meat. The composition includes inflammation reduction properties, cannabis volatile feedstock components and wherein the cannabis includes powdered cannabis, ground cannabis, or dried cannabis.

An animal food composition comprising cannabis and two or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of insects, a fiber-starch material, a binding agent, a density improving textural supplement, and a moisture improving textural supplement is described. The animal food composition may include bacteria, fungi, water, fermentation waste, spent microorganisms, an alcohol production coproduct, scales of fish, soft tissues of fish, radulae of mollusks, taurine, a fatty acid, or meat. The composition includes inflammation reduction properties, cannabis volatile feedstock components and wherein the cannabis includes powdered cannabis, ground cannabis, or dried cannabis.

A method for increasing bee performance by administering pollen substitutes to bees where the pollen substitute includes sources of proteins, fatty acids and carbohydrates.

A method for increasing bee performance by administering pollen substitutes to bees where the pollen substitute includes sources of proteins, fatty acids and carbohydrates.

The present invention provides a new method and composition to improve the growth, development, and/or nutritional value of a host organism, such as black soldier flies, utilizing oleaginous microbes, such as Arthrobacter and Rhodococcus species, to provide improved feed sources for animals and benefits to agriculture and energy.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.