Towards good practices for research on Acheta domesticus, the house cricket

Abstract

Several alternative approaches have been proposed to address the need for sustainable protein sources within our existing food and feed systems. Insects are regarded as a promising alternative, which has led to increased attention from researchers worldwide. Acheta domesticus, the house cricket, is considered a potential insect species for industrial production and various applications due to its high nutritious value. Since it is expected that A. domesticus and its applications will continue to rise as an important field of study, the standardisation of production techniques are needed. Nowadays, variation in the measurement of parameters and differences in experimental design limit the comparison among studies and, therefore, the ability to build upon existing knowledge. By identifying gaps in current protocols and providing suggestions on rearing practices and reporting, this paper aims to take the first step towards standardisation of the production and characterisation of Acheta domesticus for research purposes. This initiative primarily focusses on research practices evaluating the impact of feed and environmental conditions on the performance of house crickets.