Provided herein are methods and compositions for food and feed applications, e.g., for targeting one or more microorganisms resident in a host insect, the modulation resulting in an increase in the fitness of the host. The invention features a composition that includes a modulating agent (e.g., phage, peptide, small molecule, antibiotic, or combinations thereof) that can alter the host's microbiota in a manner that is beneficial to the host. By promoting favorable microbial levels, microbial activity, microbial metabolism, and/or microbial diversity, the modulating agent described herein may be used to increase the fitness of a variety of insects utilized in human food or animal feed industries.

A formulation and a composition that comprises it for promoting the pollination of pear crops (Pyrus) by biasing the foraging preferences of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). The formulation comprises the compounds limonene, linalool and α-pinene. Additionally, a method for targeting the bees' pollination activity towards the pear crops by using the formulation comprising the compounds limonene, linalool and α-pinene.

A formulation and a composition that comprises it for promoting the pollination of pear crops (Pyrus) by biasing the foraging preferences of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). The formulation comprises the compounds limonene, linalool and α-pinene. Additionally, a method for targeting the bees' pollination activity towards the pear crops by using the formulation comprising the compounds limonene, linalool and α-pinene.

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 prophylactic and/or therapeutic food composition for control of bacterial and/or fungal infection in bees and/or bee larvae, and methods of using and making the same. Bee feed compositions comprising bacterial and/or fungal antibodies dispersed in an edible base composition. Use of bacterial and/or fungal antigenic agents to passively generate bacterial and/or fungal antibodies in chicken egg yolks, and use of such bacterial and/or fungal antibodies for prophylaxis or treatment of bacterial and/or fungal infection in the bees and/or larvae.

A prophylactic and/or therapeutic food composition for control of bacterial and/or fungal infection in bees and/or bee larvae, and methods of using and making the same. Bee feed compositions comprising bacterial and/or fungal antibodies dispersed in an edible base composition. Use of bacterial and/or fungal antigenic agents to passively generate bacterial and/or fungal antibodies in chicken egg yolks, and use of such bacterial and/or fungal antibodies for prophylaxis or treatment of bacterial and/or fungal infection in the bees and/or larvae.

Compositions and methods for protecting bees from toxins and for preventing or decreasing colony collapse are provided. The compositions comprise carbon microparticles which, when ingested by bees, increase their survival after exposure to toxins such as pesticides.

Compositions and methods for protecting bees from toxins and for preventing or decreasing colony collapse are provided. The compositions comprise carbon microparticles which, when ingested by bees, increase their survival after exposure to toxins such as pesticides.

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.