Insect breeding -
the future of agriculture

Little superheroes
for the future.

Increase your harvest with insect farming: a game changer for everyone!
learn more

Insect breeding - big crawling:
Little effort - many advantages

aoe – Insektenzucht hat einen geringen CO2 Fußabdruck

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.
aoe – ungenützte räumliche Ressourcen – leere Räume auf deinem Bauernhof für Insektenzucht nutzen

Using existing resources

Empty barns or other agricultural buildings can be easily adapted and used for insect breeding.
aoe – Vorteil der Insektenzucht – Lebensmittelabfälle nutzen

Reusing food waste
and use it efficiently

Do large quantities of organic waste accumulate on your farm? Perfect as food for breeding insects.
aoe – Zusatzeinkommen für die Landwirtschaft durch Insektenzucht

Additional income for your farm

Insect farming is simple and energy-saving, yet a good additional income can be generated.
aoe – Vorteile Insektenzucht als Porteinquelle

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.
aoe – Vorteile der Insektenzucht - platzsparend züchten

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.Insektenzucht in Österreich aufbauen aufbauen

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.aoe vermittelt Know-How zur Insektenzucht

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.aoe verkauft deine Produkte

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-Kit

Feed naturally.

Insect breeding on a small scale.
Breeding box from OFERA at aoe price.
Buy breeding box

Start small,
think big.

Medium-sized mealworm farm
50–500 m2

Start now

Making it big.

Industrial BSF Farm
from 300 m2

Start now

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

Insects are a highly sustainable source of protein, requiring minimal resources and leaving a small carbon footprint. They are rich in nutrients and their consumption can help address food security and environmental challenges.

Yes, many cultures around the world have been eating insects for centuries. If they come from reputable farms, insects are safe for human consumption.
Insects have a significantly lower environmental impact compared to conventional livestock farming. They require less land, water and feed and cause fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Like any food, insects can trigger allergies in some people. If you have a known allergy, you should exercise caution and consult a doctor.
Popular edible insects include crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers and black soldier flies. These insects are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals.
The taste of insects can vary depending on the species and preparation. In general, they have a mild, nutty flavor that can be enhanced by spices.
Breeding insects at home is possible, but requires specialist knowledge, suitable facilities and compliance with safety and hygiene guidelines. It is advisable to start with reputable sources for breeding animals.
Insect farming is resource-efficient as it requires less water, feed and land and produces lower greenhouse gas emissions than the farming of other livestock. It contributes to food security, protects biodiversity and promotes the circular economy by recycling waste.
Yes, insects are increasingly being used in animal feed. They are a sustainable and nutritious alternative to conventional feed sources and contribute to healthier animal production.
Poultry, pigs and in aquaculture, insects can be used as a source of protein for livestock. Ruminants such as cattle must not be fed with insects.
Insects are highly digestible due to their composition and bioavailability of nutrients. In terms of digestibility, they are comparable or even superior to many vegetable protein sources.
Compared to traditional animal husbandry, insect farming is generally considered less ethically questionable. However, it is important to ensure the proper care and welfare of the insects throughout their life cycle.

Supported by:

aws – austria wirtschafts service
aoe – we farm energy
aoe – we farm energy
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