Permitted levels of pesticide residues hazardous to growth and survival of insects bred for animal feed and human food products

Black soldier fly

Larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucents) and other cultivated insect species are increasingly used as a food resource and can play an important role in improving the sustainability of the agricultural sector. The Wageningen study gave these insects feed treated with six different insecticides. The concentrations were equal to the legal limit for animal feed ingredients. Two of the insecticides (spinosad and cypermethrin) were clearly associated with reduced growth and survival of the larvae. This reduced survival was up to 72% with spinosad, and 22% for the combination of cypermethrin and piperonyl butoxide which is commonly used in practice. Following the experiment, the insects were checked for accumulations of the insecticides, as this would pose a risk to any humans or animals who go on to eat the insect. However, such accumulations were not found.

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Revising down permitted concentrations

Based on this study, the researchers recommend that policymakers revise down the permitted levels of residue concentrations in agricultural products destined to be used as insect feed.

Further research is also needed to test the large range of insecticides found in raw materials on the black soldier fly and other insect species cultivated for animal feed or for human consumption.