INSECT LAYING MEDIUM CONTAINING A SOLID SUBSTRATE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to insect rearing, and more particularly to the rearing of beetles and / or butterflies. It relates more specifically to an oviposition medium and an oviposition tray and their uses, particularly in a method for collecting insect eggs.

[0002] Insect farming has seen significant growth in recent years. Insect production offers numerous advantages, whether for the agri-food industry, where insects are an interesting source of protein, or in other industrial sectors, where insects are also a source of chitin, which can be transformed into chitosan, and which has many applications: cosmetics, medical and pharmaceutical, dietary and food products, water treatment, etc.

[0003] Industrial-scale insect farming requires the ability to breed insects efficiently.

[0004] In most cases, in aquaculture, female insects lay their eggs in their nutrient medium. These eggs, often very small, hatch a few weeks after being laid. However, it sometimes happens that the newly hatched larvae devour the unhatched eggs. Hence the need to keep the eggs separate from the larval population in order to maintain high production.

[0005] However, there is a need for an efficient egg collection process on an industrial scale. Document FR-A-2835701 aims to provide an encapsulated medium to form a host-like object in which a parasitic insect lays its eggs, and in which hatching then takes place.

[0006] KR20130046658 relates to a method for collecting insect eggs Darkness is the creator (Or T. miller) comprising a container and a removable filter net, the method including in particular the following steps: introducing cereal flour into a container, introducing the adult individuals into the removable filter net, inducing the females to lay eggs so that they stick to the wall of the container, and collecting the eggs on one side and, using the removable filter net, the females on the other.

[0007] However, this document does not clearly describe how the females are induced to lay eggs in such a way that they adhere to the container wall. Furthermore, such a method is not suitable for industrial scale, which requires high productivity, particularly in terms of surface area.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a method for collecting insect eggs that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. The term "insect eggs" refers more specifically to individual insect eggs, that is, eggs not in the form of clusters called oothecae.

[0009] The inventors' work enabled them to develop this collection process, which requires the use of a specific spawning medium.

[0010] The invention therefore relates to an oviposition medium for insects comprising: • at least 80% by weight of a solid substrate intended to be consumed by insects in the form of particles, at least 85% by weight of said particles having a particle size of less than 0.5 mm, said solid substrate having a moisture content between 0 and 15%, the percentage by weight given on the total weight of insect oviposition medium.

[0011] It should be noted that, within the framework of this application, and unless otherwise stipulated, the ranges of values ​​indicated are understood to include the limits.

[0012] By "solid substrate" we mean a solid substrate or a mixture of solid substrates, intended to be consumed by insects.

[0013] Preferably, the insect oviposition medium should include: ∘ 90% to 98% by weight of a solid substrate in the form of particles, at least 85% by weight of said particles having a particle size of less than 0.5 mm, and said solid substrate having a moisture content between 0 and 15%, the percentage by weight given on the total weight of insect oviposition medium.

[0014] Particle size is a well-known characteristic to those skilled in the art, which allows for the characterization of compositions such as, for example, powders and millings.

[0015] For example, the solid substrate can indeed be in the form of a powder, a grind.

[0016] Particle size analysis is the study of the particle size distribution within a composition. Particle size analysis techniques are well known to those skilled in the art. For example, one can refer to the following publication: "Food particle size analysis: principle, measurement and obtaining; INRA Prod. Anim., 2000, 13 (2), 81-97." And to the publication: "AN ARTIFICIAL HOST: ENCAPSULATED SYNTHETIC MEDIUM FOR IN VITRO OVIPOSITION AND REARING THE ENDOPARASITOID ITOPLECTIS CONQUISITOR (HYMENOPTERA: ICHNEUMONIDAE)," CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGISTS, vol. 110, no. 3, pages 331-333.

[0017] By "particles having a size less than Y", we mean particles that pass through a sieve having a mesh void of Y.

[0018] Preferably, at least 90% by weight of the particles of the solid substrate has a size less than 0.5 mm.

[0019] Preferably, the solid substrate has a moisture content between 0 and 10%.

[0020] Preferably, the solid substrate is a solid product or co-product from the processing of cereals, oilseeds, oilseed and protein crops and / or protein crops.

[0021] A co-product is an unavoidable material created during a manufacturing process of a product of interest.

[0022] More specifically, the solid substrate is advantageously a product or co-product from the processing of wheat (soft wheat, durum wheat), maize, barley, rice, triticale, oats, sorghum, rye, spelt, millet, quinoa, buckwheat, rapeseed, sunflower, flax, soybeans and / or peas.

[0023] Preferably, the solid substrate is a product or co-product from the processing of wheat, more preferably, the substrate is wheat bran and / or wheat middlings.

[0024] Alternatively, dried distiller grains with solubles ("Dried Distilled Grains with Solubles") can be used.

[0025] As mentioned above, the solid substrate must have a particle size of less than 0.5 mm.

[0026] This particle size allows for easy and clean separation of insect eggs from other components of the oviposition medium.

[0027] However, if the solid product or co-product resulting from the processing of cereals, oilseeds, oilseed and protein crops, and / or protein crops has a particle size greater than 0.5 mm, it may undergo a grinding step to obtain a solid substrate with a particle size less than 0.5 mm. This is the case, for example, with wheat bran, where 75% by weight of the wheat bran particles have a particle size greater than 0.8 mm and less than 1.4 mm.

[0028] This grinding stage can be carried out using any type of suitable grinder. These grinders are well known to those in the trade.

[0029] The solid substrate (or mixture of solid substrates) has a moisture content between 0 and 15%, preferably between 0 and 10%. Therefore, supplemental watering is necessary. This supplemental watering can be achieved, for example, by adding water in spray form, introducing water-loving plants, such as those with at least 60% moisture content (carrots, potatoes, etc.), and / or by introducing a water-based, optionally nutrient-rich gel.

[0030] When an aqueous and optionally nutritious gel is used to provide water, it is introduced at a quantity of at least 2% by weight, on the total weight of the insect oviposition medium.

[0031] The invention therefore relates more particularly to an oviposition medium for insects comprising: • at least 80% by weight of a solid substrate in the form of particles, at least 85% by weight of said particles having a particle size of less than 0.5 mm, said solid substrate having a moisture content between 0 and 15%, and • at least 2% by weight of an aqueous and optionally nutritive gel, the percentages by weight being given on the total weight of insect oviposition medium.

[0032] Preferably, the insect oviposition medium comprises: ∘ 95 to 97% of a solid substrate in the form of particles, at least 85% by weight of said particles having a particle size of less than 0.5 mm, said solid substrate having a moisture content between 0 and 15%, and ∘ 3% to 5% by weight of an aqueous and optionally nutritive gel, the percentages by weight being given on the total weight of insect oviposition medium.

[0033] Advantageously, the aqueous and optionally nutritive gel comprises: • at least 90% by weight of an aqueous solution, • from 0.3 to 2% by weight of a gelling agent, and • from 0.1 to 5% by weight of a preservative, the percentages by weight being expressed on the total weight of the gel.

[0034] Preferably, the aqueous and optionally nutritive gel has a water content greater than 50%, preferably greater than 70%, more preferably greater than 90% by weight on the total weight of the gel.

[0035] According to a first embodiment of the aqueous and optionally nutritive gel, the aqueous solution consists of water.

[0036] According to a second embodiment of the aqueous and optionally nutritive gel, the gel is also nutritive, and the aqueous solution may contain, in addition to water, a liquid co-product from the agri-food industry. Preferably, the agri-food industry is chosen from among the starch, flour, malt, bioethanol, sugar, fermentation, brewing, distillation, and dairy industries.Preferably, the liquid co-product of the agro-industry is chosen from the list consisting of cereal solubles, maize solubles, wheat solubles, pea solubles, cassava solubles, sugar beet solubles, sugar cane solubles, cereal distillery solubles, wheat distillery solubles, maize distillery solubles, pea distillery solubles, cassava distillery solubles, vinasses, molasses, yeast creams, wheys and their concentrated derivatives, including permeate, or mixtures thereof. More preferably, the liquid co-product of the agro-industry is chosen from a distillery soluble or a mixture of a distillery soluble with another liquid co-product.

[0037] Advantageously, the gelling agent is chosen from the group consisting of xanthan gum, locust bean gum, guar gum, or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the gelling agent is a mixture of xanthan gum and locust bean gum or of xanthan gum and guar gum.

[0038] The aqueous and optionally nutritious gel may also contain yeasts, vitamins and / or probiotics.

[0039] Advantageously, the aqueous and optionally nutritive gel has a gel strength of at least 20 g / cm², preferably 30 g / cm², more preferably 50 g / cm².

[0040] This gel strength allows the production of a solid gel with a low viscosity structure, which will not be dried out by the presence of fine particles that may adhere to the gel.

[0041] Preferably, the solid substrate has a particle size between 0.3 and 0.5 mm, i.e. at least 50% of the particles have a size greater than 0.3 and less than 0.5 mm.

[0042] A substrate particle size between 0.3 and 0.5 mm has the particular advantage of preventing the aqueous gel from drying out.

[0043] By choosing the various parameters described above, the insect oviposition medium according to the invention allows, in particular: The easy and clean separation of insect eggs from other components of the oviposition medium: adults, remains of dead adults, excrement (frass), substrates, and possibly gel. This allows, in particular, for increased stocking densities, resulting in better productivity per unit area; it also resolves problems with the development of opportunistic parasites (mites, flies, etc.) that can colonize nutrient-rich substrates insufficiently consumed by adults and small larvae. The presence of uneaten substrates for extended periods is primarily due to the difficulty of concentrating insects from the egg stage to the larval stage at 20 mg. This is also achieved through humidity control; and it increases reproductive performance. This increase can be explained, in particular, by the choice of oviposition medium, which notably reduces the accidental consumption of eggs by adults.However, under denser conditions, the probability of such events occurring is usually higher. The choice of spawning environment allows for easier egg collection, the frequency of which can be increased, thus limiting this phenomenon, while maintaining high productivity.

[0044] The spawning medium according to the invention is advantageously arranged on the bottom of a container in order to form a spawning tray.

[0045] The invention also relates to a laying tank comprising a container and, on a base of said container: ∘ from 0.12 to 7.5 g / cm 2< of a solid substrate intended to be consumed by insects in the form of particles, at least 85% by weight of said particles having a particle size of less than 0.5 mm, said solid substrate having a moisture content between 0 and 15%.

[0046] Surface quantities are expressed relative to the surface area of ​​the container's base. Such a laying tray is suitable for insects.

[0047] Preferably, the laying tray according to the invention further comprises, on the bottom of said container: ∘ from 0.006 to 0.325 g / cm 2< or 0.0016 to 0.095 g / cm 2< / d of an aqueous and optionally nutritive gel.

[0048] It should be noted that the quantities in g / cm² / day depend on the residence time in days (d) of the insects. Typically, the quantity in g / cm² / day indicated above corresponds to a residence time of 7 days for the insects, during which the gel content will be renewed once.

[0049] Preferably, the bottom surface of the spawning tank container should include: o from 0.17 to 6.95 g / cm 2< of a solid substrate in the form of particles, at least 85% by weight of said particles having a particle size less than 0.5 mm, said solid substrate having a moisture content between 0 and 15%, and ∘ from 0.0074 to 0.275 g / cm 2< or 0.0022 to 0.08 g / cm 2< / j of an aqueous and optionally nutritive gel.

[0050] Preferably, in particular, in the spawning tank: • The solid substrate in the form of particles is present at a content of 90% to 98% by weight, with at least 85% by weight of said particles having a particle size of less than 0.5 mm; • At least 90% by weight of the particles of the solid substrate have a size of less than 0.5 mm; • The solid substrate has a moisture content between 0 and 10%; • The solid substrate is a solid product or co-product from the processing of cereals and / or oilseeds / oilseeds that may have the particular, advantageous and preferred characteristics as indicated for the laying medium above; ∘ the aqueous and optionally nutritive gel comprises: ∘ at least 90% by weight of an aqueous solution, ∘ from 0.3 to 2% by weight of a gelling agent, and ∘ from 0.1 to 5% by weight of a preservative agent, the percentages by weight being expressed on the total weight of the gel;said aqueous and optionally nutritious gel having the particular, advantageous and preferred characteristics as indicated for the spawning medium above; in particular, the aqueous and optionally nutritious gel has a water content greater than 50%, preferably greater than 70%, more preferably greater than 90% by weight on the total weight of the gel.

[0051] The invention also relates to the use of an oviposition medium according to the invention, of an oviposition tray according to the invention for the rearing of beetles and / or lepidoptera.

[0052] Coleoptera and / or lepidoptera refers more specifically to coleoptera and lepidoptera belonging to the families Tenebrionidae, Melolonthidae, Dermestidae, Coccinellidae, Cerambycidae, Carabidae, Buprestidae, Cetoniidae, Dryophthoridae, Silvanidae, Trogoderma, Laemophloeidae, Trogossitidae, Pyralidae or their mixtures.

[0053] More specifically, these are the following beetles and / or butterflies: Tenebrio molitor, Tenebrio obscurus, Tribolium castaneum, Tribolium confusum, Dermestes ater, Dermestes magister, Alphitobius diaperinus, Zophobas morio, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Trogoderma granarium, Gnathocerus cornutus, Tenebroides mauritanicus and Ephestia kuehniella.

[0054] More preferably, the spawning medium according to the invention and the spawning tray according to the invention are used in the rearing of beetles, in particular of the families Tenebrionidae, Melolonthidae, Dermestidae, Coccinellidae, Cerambycidae, Carabidae, Buprestidae, Cetoniidae and Dryophthoridae.

[0055] More specifically, it is beetles Tenebrio molitor, Tenebrio obscurus, Tribolium castaneum, Alphitobius diaperinus, Zophobas morio, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, or their mixture, and more particularly in the breeding of A plotter of darkness.

[0056] The invention also relates to a method for obtaining insect eggs comprising the following steps: obtaining an oviposition tray by providing a container and filling said container with: ∘ a solid substrate intended to be consumed by insects in the form of particles, at least 85% by weight of said particles having a particle size of less than 0.5 mm, said solid substrate having a moisture content between 0 and 15%, to obtain an oviposition tray, introduction of adult insects into the oviposition tray, and a subsequent step of collecting insect eggs.

[0057] In the process for obtaining insect eggs according to the invention, the step of filling the container with the solid substrate is carried out by adding 0.12 to 7.5 g / cm² of said solid substrate into the container.

[0058] Preferably, the step of filling the container with the solid substrate is carried out by adding 0.17 to 6.95 g / cm² of solid substrate.

[0059] Advantageously, the addition of solid substrate to the container is done to a height of 1 to 5 cm, preferably to a height of 2 to 4 cm.

[0060] Preferably, in the insect egg production process according to the invention, the container filling step involves introducing an aqueous and optionally nutritious gel at a rate of 0.0016 to 0.095 g / cm² / day, more preferably at a rate of 0.0022 to 0.08 g / cm² / day.

[0061] The quantity of aqueous and optionally nutritious gel in g / cm² / day depends on the residence time in days (d) of the insects in the oviposition tray. This residence time corresponds to the number of days elapsed since the introduction of the insects into the oviposition tray and the egg collection stage.

[0062] For a residence time of 3.5 days, the quantity of aqueous and optionally nutritive gel is 0.006 to 0.325 g / cm2<, preferably 0.0074 to 0.275 g / cm2<.

[0063] Advantageously, in the process of obtaining insect eggs according to the invention, the step of introducing adult insects into the laying tray is carried out at a surface density of between 0.01 and 1.0 g / cm², preferably at a surface density of between 0.02 and 0.75 g / cm².

[0064] Preferably, the process for obtaining insect eggs according to the invention comprises the following steps: obtaining an oviposition tray by providing a container and filling a bottom of said container with: ∘ 0.17 to 6.95 g / cm² of a solid substrate in the form of particles, at least 85% by weight of said particles having a particle size less than 0.5 mm, said solid substrate having a moisture content between 0 and 15%, ∘ 0.0022 to 0.08 g / cm² / day of an aqueous and optionally nutritious gel, introduction of adult insects into the oviposition tray, and a subsequent step of collecting insect eggs.

[0065] Alternatively, the process for obtaining insect eggs according to the invention comprises the following steps: • Obtaining an oviposition tray by providing a container and filling the bottom of said container with: • 0.17 to 6.95 g / cm² of a solid substrate in granular form, at least 85% by weight of said particles having a particle size of less than 0.5 mm, said solid substrate having a moisture content between 0 and 15%, • 0.0074 to 0.275 g / cm² of an aqueous and optionally nutritious gel, • Introducing adult insects into the oviposition tray, and a subsequent step of collecting insect eggs.

[0066] Such a process is suitable for a 7-day stay of the insects in the laying tray, a stay during which the gel content will be renewed once, for example on day 3, day 1 being the day of introduction of the adult insects into the laying tray.

[0067] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the subsequent step of collecting the eggs in the process of obtaining insect eggs according to the invention is carried out by means of an automated sorting step.

[0068] The automated sorting stage allows for easy separation of the different elements contained in the laying tank.

[0069] This automated sorting step can be carried out using devices such as oscillating nutation sieves or linear vibratory sieves.

[0070] These devices allow for the easy separation of different fractions, listed below in order of increasing size: ∘ The solid substrate fraction, ∘ The adult insect excrement fraction, ∘ The insect egg fraction, ∘ The fraction of dead adult insect remains, ∘ The adult insect fraction.

[0071] Following the automated sorting stage, the recovery of the insect egg fraction allows for the collection of eggs.

[0072] Since the egg fraction may contain impurities, an additional separation step can be performed to obtain pure and clean eggs. In this case, the egg fraction undergoes density separation with a ventilation rate adapted to the quantity of eggs to ensure the production of pure and clean eggs.

[0073] Alternatively, it is possible to use the egg fraction as is.

[0074] Furthermore, automated sorting also allows for the separation and collection of adult insects. Live adults can then be separated from dead adults using a density column. Once separated, the live adult insects can be reused to populate a new oviposition tank according to the invention.

[0075] Preferably, the collection step of the insect egg production process according to the invention is carried out every 2 to 3 days.

[0076] Harvesting every 2 to 3 days increases egg-laying performance by at least 20%.

[0077] Preferably, in particular, in the process of obtaining insect eggs according to the invention: • The solid substrate in the form of particles is present at a content of 90% to 98% by weight, with at least 85% by weight of said particles having a particle size of less than 0.5 mm; • At least 90% by weight of the particles of the solid substrate have a size of less than 0.5 mm; • The solid substrate has a moisture content between 0 and 10%; • The solid substrate is a solid product or co-product from the processing of cereals and / or oilseeds / oilseeds that may have the particular, advantageous and preferred characteristics as indicated for the laying medium above; ∘ the aqueous and optionally nutritive gel comprises: ∘ at least 90% by weight of an aqueous solution, ∘ from 0.3 to 2% by weight of a gelling agent, and ∘ from 0.1 to 5% by weight of a preservative agent, the percentages by weight being expressed on the total weight of the gel;said aqueous and optionally nutritious gel having the particular, advantageous and preferred characteristics as indicated for the spawning medium above; in particular, the aqueous and optionally nutritious gel has a water content greater than 50%, preferably greater than 70%, more preferably greater than 90% by weight on the total weight of the gel.

[0078] The method for obtaining insect eggs according to the invention is particularly suitable for rearing beetles and / or butterflies. The preferred beetles and / or butterflies are those indicated above, and more preferably, the method for obtaining insect eggs according to the invention is particularly suitable for rearing T. miller.

[0079] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following illustrative examples, with reference to the figures, which respectively represent: There Figure 1 is a diagram of a laying tank according to the invention, The Figure 2 is a diagram representing the separation of different fractions during the automated sorting and collection stage of insect eggs, The Figure 3 consists of two photographs representing two egg fractions from a sorting of a laying hen's egg tray: in the figure on the left, the size of the solid substrate particles was not selected, while in the figure on the right, the egg fraction was sorted according to the method of the invention, the solid substrate having a particle size suitable for sorting eggs (particles less than 0.5 mm), and La Figure 4 is a scheme for the "continuous" implementation of the process of obtaining insect eggs. Example 1 : Préparation d'un milieu de bridge et d'un bac de bridge

[0080] The spawning medium is prepared using the following three components: Solid substrate: white wheat middlings, having a moisture content of 7%, with the following particle size distribution: ▪ 65% by weight of the particles have a size between 0.30 and 0.50 mm, ▪ 30% by weight of the particles have a size less than 0.30 mm, and ▪ 5% by weight of the particles have a size between 0.50 and 0.80 mm. Gel : an aqueous gel is prepared from 98.7% by weight of water, 1% by weight of gelling agent (Flanogen) and 0.3% by weight of potassium sorbate.

[0081] There Figure 1 represents a spawning tank 1.

[0082] In a plastic container 2, place: A solid substrate 3, namely 2000-4000 g of white wheat middlings (1-2 g / cm 2< ); An aqueous and optionally nutritive gel 4, namely 75-112.5 g of aqueous gel (0.037-0.055 g / cm 2< ).

[0083] Preferably, the components are introduced in the order indicated above.

[0084] This creates a breeding tank. Exemple II : Procédé d'obtention d'oeufs d'insectes 1. Material

[0085] Young adults Darkness is the creator (aged 1 week) Laying trays of Example I A rearing room with controlled temperature and humidity A oscillating nutation sifter (“tumbler screening machine”, Allgaier) or a linear vibratory sifter (“linear screening machine”, Mogensen) 2. Methods

[0086] Sorting of adults: To populate spawning tanks, a sorting stage using mealworms in the pupal stage may be necessary. As the pupae mature into adults, they are separated. This sorting process is carried out over a period not exceeding 7 days. This sorting stage ensures a homogeneous adult population (with an age difference of approximately 7 days within the population) within the spawning tank.

[0087] Création et peuplement du bac de ponte :The spawning tank is created as described in Example I. The adults can either come from the previous sorting stage or from a previous spawning tank. The adult population for spawning is kept for several weeks, for example, 8 weeks, while the adults' stay in a spawning tank can last from 2 to 14 days. Therefore, at the end of a stay, the adults are sorted again, notably to remove dead adults and keep the live ones, and then these are placed back in the spawning tank at the optimal adult density. Adult beetles : 0.02-0.75 g / cm²

[0088] Once the breeding tanks are populated with adults, they are kept in a rearing room with a relative humidity between 50% and 90%. It can be beneficial to replenish the breeding tanks with aqueous gel. Typically, an amount of aqueous gel (0.0074-0.275 g / cm²) is added twice a week (an initial application and a subsequent application 3.5 days after the initial application). The quantities of gel are calculated according to the surface area of ​​the rearing tank.

[0089] Sorting / Collecting eggs: The egg collection frequency can be adjusted between 2 and 7 days. In this example, the eggs were collected after a period of 7 days. On day 7, the laying tray is retrieved from the rearing room and its contents are emptied into a sifter. The sifter has a set of sieves that allow the different fractions of the laying tray's contents to be separated according to their size.

[0090] The egg sorting and collection stage was tested with two different types of machines: a linear vibratory sieve and an oscillating nutation sieve. Both machines performed well during the collection stage.

[0091] On the Figure 2 The separation of the different fractions according to their size is described: Fraction of adult insects This fraction corresponds to particles that do not pass through (or are retained by) a sieve with a mesh size of no more than 2.5 mm. This fraction includes both live and dead adults. During one week of egg-laying in the solid substrate (wheat bran), a mortality rate of approximately 10% of the individuals is observed. The live adults are then separated from the dead adults using density separation. The live adults are then returned to spawning tanks. Fraction des restes d'adultes morts: this fraction corresponds to particles passing through a sieve with a mesh size of at most 2.5 mm and retained by a sieve with a mesh size of 1.7 mm. This fraction includes parts of dead adults (heads, legs, etc.). Insect egg fractionThis fraction corresponds to the particles passing through a sieve with a 1.7 mm mesh size and retained by a sieve with a 0.7 mm mesh size. This fraction includes the eggs. The quantity of eggs obtained will depend on the conditions of the oviposition tank (population density, substrates, gel). Under the conditions of this example, an average of 25.9 ± 5.68 eggs / cm² or 0.0186 ± 0.0046 g of eggs / cm² is obtained. The eggs obtained after the sieving stage are mixed with impurities: solid substrate particles, some adult excrement, and remains of dead adults. Indeed, generally, after sorting, the insect egg fraction still contains between 50 and 60% by weight of particles, excrement, and remains (large debris). Fraction of excretions of adult insects This fraction corresponds to particles passing through a sieve with a mesh size of 0.7 mm and retained by a sieve with a mesh size of 0.5 mm. This fraction includes adult excrement. Solid substrate fraction This fraction corresponds to the particles passing through a sieve with a 0.5 mm mesh size. This solid substrate can then potentially be reused. Finally, when the aqueous gel is applied in the quantities indicated above, it is generally consumed entirely by the insects. If the aqueous gel is not consumed, a 5 mm mesh sieve can be used to collect the dried gel fragments.

[0092] The recovery of the insect egg fraction allows for the collection of eggs. As mentioned above, this fraction still contains between 50 and 60% by weight of particles, excrement, and residues (large debris). Therefore, it can be used as is, or after an additional separation step to obtain a pure and clean egg fraction. In this case, the insect egg fraction undergoes density separation, such as separation using a gravity column, with a ventilation rate adapted to the quantity of eggs to ensure the production of pure and clean eggs. The pure and clean egg fraction then comprises 65 to 75% eggs by weight, with a significant portion of the remaining 25 to 35% by weight consisting of fine solid substrate particles.

[0093] On the Figure 3Two egg fractions from a laying hen tank are shown. In the figure on the left, the size of the solid substrate particles was not selected, while in the figure on the right, the egg fraction was sorted according to the method of the invention, the solid substrate having a particle size suitable for sorting eggs with particles smaller than 0.5 mm, which leads to a higher purity egg fraction.

[0094] On the Figure 4 A diagram illustrating the continuous implementation of the insect egg production process is shown. This figure is further detailed below: Adult sorting: See the description of this step above. Breeding tank populated with young adults: As mentioned above, a breeding tank is created and then populated with young adults selected from the adult population. Egg sorting / collection: See the description of this step above. Creating the egg tray:This container can then be stocked with the egg fraction from the previous collection, taking into account that the mass of pure eggs is 55% to adjust the desired egg density, or with pure, clean eggs from the additional separation step. The eggs will hatch 6 to 10 days after the egg container is created, producing larvae. Breeding tank populated with adults: As mentioned above, a breeding tank is created and then populated with adults recovered after the sorting and collection of eggs.

Claims

1. Egg-laying medium for insects comprising: ∘ at least 80% by weight of a solid substrate intended to be consumed by the insects in the form of particles, at least 85% by weight of said particles having a particle size smaller than 0.5 mm, said solid substrate having a moisture content comprised between 0 and 15%, and ∘ at least 2% by weight of an aqueous and optionally nutritional gel, the percentages by weight being given in relation to the total weight of egg-laying medium for insects.

2. Egg-laying medium for insects according to claim 1, in which the solid substrate is a solid product or co-product originating from the conversion of cereals, oilseeds, protein-oil crops and / or protein crops.

3. Egg-laying medium for insects according to claim 1 or 2, in which the aqueous and optionally nutritional gel comprises: ∘ at least 90% by weight of an aqueous solution, ∘ 0.3 to 2% by weight of a gelling agent, and ∘ 0.1 to 5% by weight of a preservative, the percentages by weight being expressed in relation to the total weight of gel.

4. Egg-laying medium for insects according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the aqueous and optionally nutritional gel has a gel strength of at least 20 g / cm2.

5. Laying tray comprising a container and, on the bottom of said container, an egg-laying medium according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Laying tray comprising a container and, on the bottom of said container: ∘ 0.12 to 7.5 g / cm2 of a solid substrate intended to be consumed by the insects in the form of particles, at least 85% by weight of said particles having a particle size smaller than 0.5 mm, said solid substrate having a moisture content comprised between 0 and 15%.

7. Laying tray according to claim 6, moreover comprising, on the bottom of said container: ∘ 0.006 to 0.325 g / cm2 or 0.0016 to 0.095 g / cm2 / d of an aqueous and optionally nutritional gel.

8. Use of the egg-laying medium for insects according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or a laying tray according to any one of claims 5 to 7, for breeding coleopterans and / or lepidopterans.

9. Method for obtaining insect eggs, comprising the steps of: - obtaining a laying tray by providing a container and filling said container with: ∘ a solid substrate intended to be consumed by the insects in the form of particles, at least 85% by weight of said particles having a particle size smaller than 0.5 mm, said solid substrate having a moisture content comprised between 0 and 15%, in order to obtain a laying tray, - introducing adult insects into the laying tray, and a subsequent step of collecting the insect eggs.

10. Method for obtaining insect eggs according to claim 9, in which the step of filling the container with the solid substrate is effected by supplying 0.12 to 7.5 g / cm2 of said solid substrate into the container.

11. Method for obtaining insect eggs according to claim 9 or 10, in which the step of obtaining a laying tray moreover comprises filling said container with: ∘ 0.0016 to 0.095 g / cm2 / d of an aqueous and optionally nutritional gel.

12. Method for obtaining insect eggs according to any one of claims 9 to 11, in which the step of introducing the adult insects is effected in an areal density in the laying tray comprised between 0.01 and 1.0 g / cm2.

13. Method for obtaining insect eggs according to any one of claims 9 to 12, in which the subsequent step of collecting the eggs is effected by means of an automated sorting step.

14. Method for obtaining insect eggs according to any one of claims 9 to 13, in which the adult insects are coleopterans and / or lepidopterans.