BugBook: Genetics of insects as food and feed

Abstract:

Just like traditional livestock, farmed insects harbour genetic variation and can be selectively bred to optimise traits of interest. This BugBook article presents a comprehensive overview of how genetics can contribute to improving insect production for food and feed. Molecular genetics and genomics approaches for generating the data essential for understanding species biology are presented, as well as their implementation in dedicated selective breeding programmes, and options for health and quality control of mass rearing operations. To harness the breeding potential of farmed insects, methods to investigate population genetic diversity and structure through population and evolutionary genetic principles are provided as well as tools for monitoring genetic variation and assessing genetic consequences of captive breeding to adequately manage populations. An overview is given on quantitative genetics of farmed insects, how to record phenotypes and pedigrees, estimate genetic parameters, and design optimal breeding programmes. Lastly, the role of functional genetics in insect production is discussed, the biological link between DNA and phenotypic variation, and key to effectively apply genetic improvement strategies through selective breeding. This article identifies knowledge gaps in insect breeding and provides recommendations for application and future research. Major challenges in the field of genetics of farmed insects include how to phenotype large numbers of individual insects over generations; how environmental factors affect trait expression, including interaction with genetics; and how to translate results from laboratory settings to mass rearing environments. This article will contribute to further develop the area of genetics of insects for food and feed.