Insect breeding -
the future of agriculture
Little superheroes
for the future.
Increase your harvest with insect farming: a game changer for everyone!
learn moreInsect breeding - big crawling:
Little effort - many advantages
Small ecological footprint
Insect farming is a remarkably sustainable solution that uses minimal resources, produces low greenhouse gas emissions and provides a renewable source of protein for a greener and more resilient future.
Using existing resources
Empty barns or other agricultural buildings can be easily adapted and used for insect breeding.
Reusing food waste
and use it efficiently
Do large quantities of organic waste accumulate on your farm? Perfect as food for breeding insects.
Additional income for your farm
Insect farming is simple and energy-saving, yet a good additional income can be generated.
Protein-rich food source for humans and animals
Insects have a protein content that can equal or exceed that of beef, providing a sustainable alternative for those seeking a high-protein diet.
Space-saving and quickly scalable
On average, around 12 times less land is needed to produce the same amount of protein from insects as from beef, which illustrates the significantly lower land requirement for protein production from insects.
We are convinced that insect farming is part of the solution to our global problems.
Would you like more information about insect breeding?
Superheroes that grow fast:
The growth cycle of your insects
The black soldier fly
Hermetia illucens
The life cycle of the black soldier fly is relatively short and can be completed within 30 to 40 days, depending on temperature and food availability.
The fast life cycle and ability to eat different types of organic waste makes them valuable for sustainable waste management, composting and the production of protein-rich feed and valuable by-products in insect breeding systems.
1 – 4 days
The larvae hatch from the oval eggs of the soldier fly
Female flies can lay between 320 and 1000 eggs. At 27-30° the approx. 1 to 2 mm large larvae hatch after approx. 4 days.
13 – 18 days
The larvae grow and increase in size.
In the larval stage, they eat organic waste voraciously and their rapid growth leads to a considerable increase in weight. BSFL can increase their weight by a factor of 200 or more within a few weeks.
7 days
Pre-pupal stage - the larvae pupate.
When the larvae are 27 to 37 mm in size, they have completed the larval stage and pupate. At this stage, they stop feeding and become inactive.
10 – 30 days
The pupal stage
The pupae are typically reddish-brown and elongated and about 8 to 10 mm long. During the pupal stage, considerable internal changes occur as the larvae undergo metamorphosis and develop into adult flies.
5 – 8 Tage
The black soldier fly is fully grown.
The adult fly no longer feeds, but only needs water occasionally. It looks for a partner and begins to lay eggs.
The mealworm
Tenebrio molitor
The life cycle of mealworms from egg to adult takes about 1 to 3 months. Mealworms are robust and adaptable insects.
As adult beetles, mealworms have fully developed wings, which they rarely use to fly. Instead, they are able to crawl and climb on surfaces. Mealybugs are mainly nocturnal and seek out dark, sheltered areas during the day.
4 – 18 days
The mealworm eggs are about 1 millimeter long and weigh less than 1 milligram.
The eggs are usually laid in batches in dark & warm environments
2 - 5 months
Mealworm larvae hatch at a length of around 2 to 4 millimeters and can be 25 to 30 millimeters long when fully mature.
The weight of the larvae increases significantly at this stage. They feed mainly on various organic substances such as cereals, oats, wheat bran and vegetables. During this period, 6 to 19 moults can be observed!
6 - 18 days
When mealworm larvae reach their final stage, they enter the pupal stage.
The pupa is a non-feeding transitional stage in which the mealworm undergoes a metamorphosis to transform into an adult beetle. The pupal stage normally lasts about 6 to 18 days.
2 – 3 months
After completing the pupal stage, the mealworm transforms into an adult beetle.
The adult flour beetle has a distinctive shape with a small, elongated body. The length of an adult flour beetle is between 12 and 18 millimeters.
How insect breeding works with aoe
aoe supports you from the development of your breeding to the sale of your products.
1.
Set up an insect farm
aoe helps you to set up your own breeding facility. The breeding system is individually adapted to your premises and your needs.
2.
Successful breeding with know-how from aoe
In order to breed quickly and successfully, aoe imparts the knowledge and helps you step by step with your breeding!
3.
Selling your
Selling your
products
aoe helps you sell your products* so that you can quickly generate additional income. We take care of contracts and supply chains.
*currently only available for Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
Mealworms for beginners!
Discover insect breeding with the Explore kit at a special aoe price.
Buy Explore-KitFeed naturally.
Insect breeding on a small scale.
Breeding box from OFERA at aoe price.
Buy breeding boxBreeding box from OFERA at aoe price.
Would you like to become an insect breeder?
Are you interested in breeding insects on your farm? Contact us without obligation and give us information about you and your business so that we can prepare for an initial consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Insect farming is a sustainable and profitable way to produce protein-rich feed and organic fertilizer. It requires less space, water, and resources compared to traditional livestock farming.
The most common options are mealworms (for food, feed, and fertilizer production) and Black Soldier Fly larvae (primarily for feed and fertilizer production).
It depends on the size of your facility. Smaller systems start at 10-20 m², while larger facilities may require over 200 m².
Regulations differ from country to country. In the EU, insect farming for food, feed, and fertilizer is allowed but must comply with specific animal welfare, hygiene, and feed regulations.
Insects are farmed in controlled environments. The process includes hatching eggs, rearing larvae, and managing conditions like temperature, humidity, and feed.
Depending on the size of your facility, you’ll need breeding boxes or industrial systems, as well as additional equipment like climate controls, feeding stations, and harvesting tools.
Insects can be fed organic by-products like fruit and vegetable scraps or grain residues. However, the feed quality must comply with legal standards and be approved for use in feed production.
The time required depends on the size of the facility. Small systems need about 1-2 hours per day, while larger operations may require more staff.
Although insect farming is highly resilient and easier than traditional livestock farming, there are still risks. Proper management can minimize these risks.
Startup costs vary. Small systems start at approximately €100–€200, while industrial setups can exceed €200,000. Operating costs include feed, energy, and labor.
Yes, insect farming can be very profitable with proper planning. For example, Black Soldier Fly larvae generate revenue through the sale of larvae and organic fertilizer. We are happy to help you evaluate if a setup is profitable for your needs.
Many governments and organizations offer funding for sustainable agricultural projects. We can assist you in finding suitable funding opportunities.
Buyers include feed manufacturers, fertilizer producers, pet food companies, and even the food industry for edible insects.
We support you in finding potential buyers and securing long-term contracts.
Prices vary depending on the insect species, product type (e.g., larvae, meal, or fertilizer), and market demand.
Insect farming uses significantly fewer resources than traditional livestock farming and reduces food waste by converting organic materials into high-value products.
Yes, as long as the by-products meet legal requirements for insect feed and are approved for use. It’s an excellent way to recycle and reduce waste.
It helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize waste, and promote a circular economy.
This depends on local regulations and the intended use of your products (e.g., food, feed, or fertilizer). We can guide you through the application process.
Yes, especially for feed or food production, strict hygiene and safety standards apply.
Begin by analyzing your resources, space, and goals. We offer consultations to help you plan and choose the right system. Feel free to schedule a free initial consultation in our calendar!
Yes, we offer guided tours of existing facilities to give you insights into the operations.
Depending on the insect species and facility, you can start harvesting within 6–12 weeks. Planning and preparation phases usually take about 9–12 months, depending on facility size.
Yes, our systems are modular and scalable, allowing you to expand as needed.
Supported by:
aoe – we farm energy
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