The Effects of Different Feed Substrates on Production Performance, Digestibility, and Chemical Composition of Zophobas morio Larvae

Abstract

Simple Summary Zophobas morio, commonly known as the superworm, is a promising insect for large-scale production because its larvae can be used as a source of nutrients and protein. However, information on how different feeds affect its growth, feed use, and nutritional value is still limited. In this study, larvae were reared on several different feed ingredients, including feeds rich in protein and carbohydrates. Growth and production performance were evaluated both per tray and based on individual larval growth. The type of feed had a clear effect on larval performance. Wheat bran supported the best overall production performance, whereas breadcrumbs resulted in the poorest performance. Some feeds, including soybean grits and field pea, were excluded from the trial due to severe mortality and cannibalistic behaviour and could not be evaluated further. Feed composition also strongly affected the nutritional composition of the larvae. Larvae fed carbohydrate-rich feeds tended to contain more fat, while those fed protein-rich feeds tended to contain more protein. These findings show that feed choice is an important factor in superworm production and provide useful information for developing more efficient feeding strategies for large-scale rearing.