Immature Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) adults are potential edible insects rich in carotenoids

The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an agricultural pest with a unique odor, aggregating near human habitats during the cold season. In the present study, we evaluated the suitability of H. halys as an edible insect. We observed that the one-time administration of 2000 mg/kg raw stink bugs to female rats via oral gavage did not affect their weight or cause mortality, suggesting that the medium lethal dose of H. halys adults was > 2000 mg/kg for female rats. Moreover, the presence of microorganisms or heavy metals was not observed in heated and raw insects, respectively, except for cadmium, suggesting that they met food hygiene and safety standards. Nutrient composition analysis revealed that the levels of useful compounds in H. halys were comparable to those in general hemipterans. The ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids in H. halys adults was 44.3%, whereas that of saturated fatty acids was 16.8%. Moreover, H. halys was rich in β-carotene, astaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Therefore, H. halys is a potential edible carotenoid source. Consumption of this insect would become a solution to managing the pest and nuisance. Further studies are needed to ensure food safety and human consumption.