From a stored-product pest to a promising protein source: a U-turn of human perspective for the yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor

Abstract

The insect species Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a stored-product pest which tend to infest a variety of durable agricultural commodities, mostly oriented toward cereals and related amylaceous substrates of low humidity. Thus, the past few years, research on T. molitor has been focused on its biology, ecology, and control methods due to its pest status. However, recently, the same insect species has undergone a significant reevaluation, as it is considered as a promising alternative protein source not only for animal feed but also for human consumption. The direction to new applications of T. molitor in sustainable agriculture and livestock farming has been mainly driven by the green light of the European Commission and European Food Safety Authority, which has redirected the interest of the scientific community toward utilization of T. molitor as a novel protein source. This shift is evidenced by a rapid increase in related publications since 2017. Recent publication of this sector highlights the nutritional benefits of T. molitor larvae, their potential in waste management, and the economic viability of its mass production. However, there is still a gap in the literature concerning the optimization its mass rearing, the disease management, and the exploration of the by-products produced through the rearing of T. molitor, i.e., soil fertilizer. This paper reviews the trajectory of T. molitor research, emphasizing its dual role as both a pest and a valuable resource.