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Open research questions in Insect Utilization and Effects

90 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 288 Insect Utilization and Effects papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • The complexity of the biomass composition. The need for efficient pyrolysis conditions. The distinction between retained constituents and thermal degradation products in the pyrolysis-derived liquid fraction.

    Thermochemical Valorization of Silkworm Feeding Waste: Chemical Characterization and Biological Activities of the Pyrolysis-Derived Liquid Fraction · 2026 · DOI

  • Future studies should prioritize comparative chemical profiling of the pre-pyrolysis feedstock and the resulting SWP-Liq to distinguish retained constituents from thermal degradation products and compounds formed through secondary thermochemical reactions.

    Thermochemical Valorization of Silkworm Feeding Waste: Chemical Characterization and Biological Activities of the Pyrolysis-Derived Liquid Fraction · 2026 · DOI

  • Further research on the effects of BSFL substitution on fish growth and profitability, - Investigation into the causes of variation in growth rates, - Study on the optimal substitution rate of BSFL in commercial feed

    Producing Affordable Tilapia in Sub-Saharan Africa by Replacing Feed with Farm-Produced Black Soldier Fly Larvae · 2026 · DOI

  • The need for alternative and sustainable feed sources for the aquaculture industry. The potential for using BSFL as a feed substitute in tilapia production.

    Producing Affordable Tilapia in Sub-Saharan Africa by Replacing Feed with Farm-Produced Black Soldier Fly Larvae · 2026 · DOI

  • CONCLUSION the most Mosquito species are among intensively researched creatures, yet they are poorly studied to derive economic benefits from their life cycles.

    Economically Viable Nature-based Sewage Treatment Method by Using Life Cycles of Mosquitoes and Non-biting Midges · 2026 · DOI

  • However, how post-hatch starvation affects larval development and nutrient accumulation remains unclear.

    Post-Hatch Starvation in Black Soldier Fly Larvae: Implications for Growth, Nutritional Quality, and Multi-Omics Profiles Across Rearing Substrates · 2026 · DOI

  • These results suggest that frass application may limit establishment at high temperatures and indicate that both chemical and physical properties of frass should be further investigated for their effects on plant growth.

    Establishment of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings is affected by application of frass from Hermetia illucens · 2025 · DOI

  • To fully realize HFL’s potential, future research should focus on optimizing rearing methods, improving processing efficiency, and ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory standards.

    A comprehensive review on the utilization of housefly larvae (Musca domestica) as dietary meals in aquaculture · 2025 · DOI

  • In this current study, the traditional uses of edible insects were documented through field surveys and open questionnaires from village elders in the three tribal dominated blocks (Kusumi, Bangriposi and Saraskana) in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India.

    Investigating the role of edible insects on tribal health and their application for sustainable development in Odisha, India · 2025 · DOI

  • While edible insects represent a nutritious, low-cost food and feed, there are a lot of variables that have not been fully investigated.

    Edible Insects from the Perspective of Sustainability—A Review of the Hazards and Benefits · 2025 · DOI

  • Although tyrosine has been reported to be crucial for sensing protein restriction in Drosophila larvae, its effect on adult physiology and longevity remains unclear.

    Context-dependent impact of the dietary non-essential amino acid tyrosine on Drosophila physiology and longevity · 2024 · DOI

  • However, their digestibility and protein quality, particularly after culinary treatment, remains underexplored.

    Culinary treatments impact the digestibility and protein quality of edible insects: a case study with Tenebrio molitor and Gryllus assimilis · 2024 · DOI

  • In this context, novel approaches should be validated in preclinical in vivo gut colonization models before being translated to humans.

    A new in vivo model of intestinal colonization using Zophobas morio larvae: testing hyperepidemic ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli clones · 2024 · DOI

  • While substantial amounts of antibiotics and pesticides are applied to maintain orchard yields, their influence on the dissemination and risk of antibiotic resisitome in the orchard food chain remains poorly understood.

    Antibiotics and Pesticides Enhancing the Transfer of Resistomes among Soil-Bayberry-Fruit Fly Food Chain in the Orchard Ecosystem · 2024 · DOI

  • Attempts undertaken so far in this respect are insufficient; therefore, there is a need to continue and expand research in this field.

    Attitudes and purchase intentions of polish university students towards food made from insects—A modelling approach · 2024 · DOI

  • They are full of nutrients, including indigestible proteins; however, there have been few studies on the effects of the consumption of the entire body of silkworms on the intestinal microflora.

    Ad libitum feeding of silkworm larvae powder-containing diets specifically influences metabolism-related and short-chain fatty acid-producing gut bacteria in mice · 2024 · DOI

  • However, the common gut microbes have not been explored as probiotics themselves, which would be a promising direction for future work.

    Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Microbiome and Microbe Interactions: A Scoping Review · 2024 · DOI

  • In order to allow dog owners to make informed decisions in line with their ethical preferences, further research is needed to establish the overall health and welfare implications of IBDF on the animals involved in production, as well as the companion animals, who are the ultimate consumers.

    A Model for Consumer Acceptance of Insect-Based Dog Foods among Adult UK Dog Owners · 2024 · DOI

  • Edible insects are receiving increased attention as a new food source, although research on their implementation in confectionary products remains scarce.

    Effect of the Addition of Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) on the Physicochemical, Antioxidative, and Sensory Properties of Oatmeal Cookies · 2024 · DOI

  • The review is limited to articles published from 2000 to 2026. The review is limited to articles that clearly specify the African country or region where the medicinal invertebrates were traditionally used.

    Medicinal invertebrates used in African traditional medicine: a systematic review · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of global harmonization of regulatory standards for alternative proteins. The high production costs of some alternative proteins. The need for consumer education on the safety and nutritional adequacy of alternative proteins.

    Valorising Insect, Plant and Microbial Protein Sources for Sustainable Livestock · 2026 · DOI

  • No economic cost-benefit analysis comparing dried mealworm meal at 10-20% inclusion against conventional soybean meal-based diets was provided; production cost, feed price, and profitability calculations are essential to evaluate commercial viability in poultry operations.

    Effect of Dietary Dried Mealworm Inclusion as Replacement of Soybean Meal on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Fatty Acid Profile of Broilers · 2026 · DOI

  • Palatability and feed acceptance were assessed qualitatively ('no negative effects noted') without quantitative data on feed intake rates, preference trials, or sensory analysis across mealworm inclusion levels; objective palatability metrics would validate the claim of safe incorporation up to 20%.

    Effect of Dietary Dried Mealworm Inclusion as Replacement of Soybean Meal on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Fatty Acid Profile of Broilers · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of studies evaluating the protein quality of termite flour. There is a need to investigate the effects of termite flour-supplemented diets on hematological and biochemical indices of rats.

    Protein quality of flour from different species of edible winged termites and the effect of termite flour-supplemented diets on hematological plus biochemical indices of rats · 2026 · DOI

  • WBC count was comparable between casein and O. lateritius diets with the inference of improved immunity, but specific T-cell and B-cell populations, antibody titers, and challenge testing against pathogenic infection were not performed to validate the immunoprotective potential of edible termite flour supplementation.

    Protein quality of flour from different species of edible winged termites and the effect of termite flour-supplemented diets on hematological plus biochemical indices of rats · 2026 · DOI

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90 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 288 Insect Utilization and Effects papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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