INSECT BREEDING DEVICE

Abstract

INSECT BREEDING DEVICE The present invention relates to an insect rearing device comprising a tank configured to receive insects and their rearing substrate, an auger placed in a sheath inside the tank, at least one injection system, and an environmental sensor. Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: INSECT BREEDING DEVICE FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an insect rearing device. In particular, the present invention relates to a device and a method for facilitating the rearing and growth of insects, for example edible ones. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Today, more than 2,000 species of edible insects have been identified. These edible insects constitute a source of raw materials, particularly for animal and human consumption. Non-edible insects can also be of interest for farming.

[0003] The industrial rearing of such insects is therefore experiencing growth in order to regulate and optimize insect growth. However, known and conventional rearing systems are not satisfactory.

[0004] Indeed, most known systems rely on the use of small-volume trays in which the insects develop. Human intervention is necessary when using such systems for cleaning, feeding, hydrating, and maintaining the insects. Such human intervention therefore implies a decrease in rearing yield and a health risk (for example, contamination by viruses and / or bacteria).

[0005] Furthermore, the vertical stacking of the rearing tanks implies a complexity in the logistics related to the processing and management of these tanks.

[0006] Finally, in order to reduce the risk of contamination of the insects and to avoid cannibalism between adult insects and young larvae and / or nymphs, the hatched insects are moved several times, which increases the logistics even more.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a breeding system which makes it possible to achieve at least one of the following objectives: simplify the supply chain, limit handling, optimize insect growth, reduce labor, limit health risks and the risk of cannibalism. SUMMARY

[0008] To this end, the present invention relates to an insect rearing device comprising - a tank configured to receive insects and their rearing substrate, - a worm screw placed in a sheath inside the tank, the part of the the tank located below the sheath being the lower part of the tank, the the portion of the tank located above the sheath being the upper part of the tank, and the portion of the tank located between the lower and upper parts being the intermediate part of the tank; said screw being mounted to rotate freely by means of a drive system and arranged to convey the insects from the lower part of the tank to the upper part of the tank, - at least one injection system configured to introduce air and / or water into the tank, - an environmental sensor in the intermediate part of the tank.

[0009] Indeed, using a tank in which the insects are reared provides a significant volume in a single device. This therefore reduces the logistics chain associated with using a series of small-volume devices. Furthermore, rearing efficiency is optimized relative to the floor space used by the system.

[0010] Furthermore, the auger ensures mixing of the rearing medium, thus preventing a density gradient between the top and bottom of the tank. This ensures that the insects are in constant contact with the nutrients contained in the rearing substrate, thereby reducing cannibalism.

[0011] Furthermore, the use of an environmental sensor reduces human intervention. Indeed, the user will only intervene when necessary, based on the data collected by the sensor. Finally, the use of the environmental sensor can also enable the automation of livestock farming, thus completely eliminating human intervention and reducing operating costs.

[0012] Placing the sensor in the middle section of the tank allows for the measurement of environmental conditions at the location where the insect population will be highest. The data thus collected will be representative of the environment of the reared insects.

[0013] The injection system allows the rearing environment to be continuously hydrated and oxygenated, thus limiting the asphyxiation and dehydration of the insects and therefore limiting the decrease in yield.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the lower part of the tank is conical.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the lower part of the tank comprises in addition to a trapdoor configured to allow the evacuation of insects and their rearing substrate.

[0016] The hatch makes it easier to clean the tank and collect the insects.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the diameter of the sheath is between 10% and 25% of the main dimension of the intermediate part of the tank.

[0018] Indeed, this configuration makes it possible to obtain a mixing differential depending on the distance to the center of the auger, thus allowing the insects to move between a more mixed environment and a less mixed environment depending on their nutrient needs. The inventors observed that a sheath diameter between 10% and 25% of the main dimension of the intermediate part of the tank optimizes the insects' movement cycle and therefore the system's efficiency.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one injection system includes air injectors distributed over the lower and intermediate parts of the tank.

[0020] Indeed, since CO2 is denser than air, it tends to accumulate at the bottom of the tank. Injecting air through the bottom of the tank or through the middle section of the tank is more effective in renewing the tank atmosphere.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one injection system includes water injectors distributed over the lower part of the tank, the water injectors advantageously being nebulizers, sprayers, dispersers and / or water sprinklers.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the environmental sensor includes a CO2 sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor and / or an ammonia sensor, advantageously placed in the upper half of the intermediate part of the tank.

[0023] Indeed, the CO2 sensor measures the amount of CO2 present in the rearing environment, allowing measures to be taken, if necessary, to reduce the risk of asphyxiation. Placing the CO2 sensor in the upper half of the intermediate section of the tank allows for a more efficient and representative measurement of the total amount of CO2 produced in the tank.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the insect rearing device further comprises a control unit connected to the screw drive system and the environmental sensor.

[0025] Indeed, the presence of a control unit allows for at least partial automation of the breeding process, thus reducing human intervention and therefore the risk of contamination.

[0026] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method of raising insects comprising the following steps: - Introduce insects and their rearing substrate into an insect rearing device as described above, - Regularly determine at least one environmental parameter in the middle and / or lower part of the tank, - Depending on at least one environmental parameter: • Injecting air and / or water into the tank, and / or • Rotate the auger to convey the growing substrate from the bottom of the tank to the top of the tank, and / or • Inject breeding substrate.

[0027] Regularly determining environmental parameters optimizes insect growth while reducing logistical costs. Indeed, modifications to the rearing environment, such as injecting air, water, and / or substrate, or rotating the auger, are only made when necessary.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, the rotation of the worm screw is intermittent. DEFINITIONS

[0029] In the present invention, the terms below are defined as follows: - "Insect" refers to all stages of development from egg to insect adult, passing through the larva and the nymph (or pupa). - “Breeding medium” refers to all the elements present in the tank. This corresponds to the environment in which the insects are raised. This environment includes in particular a substrate, the insects, the air and the water contained in the tank. - "Breeding substrate" refers to a medium containing nutrients necessary for insect growth and in which insects can settle and move. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present invention relates to an insect rearing device 100. More specifically, the device allows insects to be reared in a rearing substrate.

[0031] The insects can be any type of breeding insect. Preferably, the insects are edible insects such as, but not limited to, Dermestes ater, Dermestes magister, Alphitobius diapennus, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Hermetia Illucens, Trogoderma granarium, Locusta migratoria, Gryllodes sigillatus, Acheta domesticus or mealworms such as, for example, Tribolium castaneum, Tribolium confusum, Zophobas morios, Tenebrio molitor, Gnathocerus cornutus, Te-nebroides mauritanicus or Ephestia kuehniella.

[0032] The rearing substrate includes nutrients necessary for insect growth. Furthermore, this rearing substrate is conducive to the settlement and movement of the insects. In order to limit the risk of contamination, the nutrient used in the substrate is preferably incorporated in the form of dry or semi-moist food. The substrate may contain residues from the agri-food industry – for example, brewing – waste from the catering industry, or ordinary waste. of their composting or recycling.

[0033] The device 100, shown in Figures 1-3, includes a tank 101 configured to receive the insects and their rearing substrate, a screw 102 placed in a sheath 104 inside the tank 101, at least one injection system (106, 106a, 106b) configured to introduce air and / or water into the tank 101, and an environmental sensor 108 in the intermediate part of the tank 101.

[0034] The tank 101 can be, for example, a cylinder, a parallelepiped, or a truncated cone. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1-3, the tank 101 has a conical part surmounted by a cylindrical part.

[0035] The tank 101 is preferably large in order to be able to contain a large volume of insects and substrate. For example, the height of the tank 101 is between 100 centimeters and 900 centimeters, preferably between 200 centimeters and 450 centimeters. For example, the main dimension Dc of the intermediate part of the tank is between 100 centimeters and 400 centimeters, preferably between 100 centimeters and 150 centimeters. The main dimension of the intermediate part of the tank Dc is, for example, the diameter for a cylindrical tank, or one of the sides of the cross-section or the diagonal for a parallelepiped tank.

[0036] In the embodiment in which the tank 101 has a cylindrical part and a conical part, the ratio between the height of the cylinder and the height of the cone can vary. For example, the height of the cylinder can be large compared to the height of the cone, as shown in [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2]. Alternatively, the height of the cylinder can be small compared to the height of the cone, as shown in [Fig. 3].

[0037] Furthermore, the presence of a hermetically sealed lid on the tank 101 is advantageous. This allows for a controlled rearing environment that is relatively insensitive to external parameters. Moreover, it prevents insects from being attacked by predators. In the embodiment in which the tank 101 has a lid, an opening may be provided in the lid to allow the introduction of insects and the rearing substrate into the tank 101. Alternatively, the tank 101 may be without an airtight lid to allow CO2 to escape. In this embodiment, one or more filters may be placed over the openings of the tank 101 to reduce the spread of dust outside the tank.

[0038] The tank 101 may further include a hatch 110 located in its lower part (the lower part being defined below). The hatch 110 may allow the removal of insects and the rearing substrate. This is advantageous because it facilitates the harvesting of insects and / or the cleaning of the tank. Moreover, when the tank is placed vertically, removal is simply by gravity.

[0039] The device 100 also includes a worm screw 102 placed in a sheath 104 inside the tank 101.

[0040] The presence of a sheath is advantageous because it allows for efficient and homogeneous mixing of the rearing medium. The sheath 104 can be made of rigid or semi-rigid material. The sheath 104 can be perforated. Perforation of the sheath 104 is advantageous because it ensures better aeration of the rearing medium. The length of the sheath is preferably less than the height of the tank. Thus, as shown in [Fig. 2], the height and positioning of the sheath 104 in the tank 101 define three parts of the tank: - an upper part 112 located above the sheath 104; - a lower part 116 located below the sheath 104; and - an intermediate part 114 located between the lower part 116 and the upper part 112.

[0041] Fig. 2 represents the tank 101 in a vertical configuration, and the terms "above" and "below" refer to the vertical axis, which coincides with the conveying axis of the auger 102. When the tank 101 is in an oblique or inclined configuration, the terms "above" and "below" refer to the conveying axis of the auger 102: the auger 102 is fed into the lower part 116 and discharged into the upper part 112.

[0042] The sheath 104 is preferably tubular. The diameter of the sheath Dg is preferably slightly larger than the diameter of the worm gear 102 so as not to impede the movement of the worm gear 102 while holding the worm gear 102 in position. Preferably, the height of the sheath 104 is less than that of the worm gear 102, thus allowing the worm gear to protrude from the sheath 104 at its ends, as shown in [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 3]. For example, the length of the sheath 104 is between 50 and 100% of the length of the worm gear 102. The worm gear 102 is mounted to rotate freely by means of a drive system. The drive system is arranged to rotate the screw sen fin 102 and thus convey the insects from the lower part 116 of the tank to the upper part 112 of the tank.Thus, when the auger 102 is rotating, it carries the substrate and insect mixture contained in the lower part 116 of the tank by means of the part of said auger 102 protruding from the sleeve 104. The substrate and insect mixture is then conveyed to the upper part 112 of the tank by the rotation of the auger 102. The conveyed mixture is then discharged into the upper part 112 of the tank by means of the part of the auger 102 protruding from the sleeve 104. The movement of the substrate and insects by the rotation of the auger 102 is represented by the solid arrows in [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 3].

[0043] Advantageously, the rotation of the auger 102 allows for mixing (or stirring) of the substrate and the insects so that the latter are in constant contact with the nutrients, thus reducing cannibalism. Furthermore, the stirring by the auger 102 prevents a density gradient in the substrate between the intermediate part 114 and the lower part 116 of the tank. This also prevents the accumulation of waste such as ammonia, excrement, and CO2, which can harm or even kill the insects.

[0044] The height of the auger 102 is preferably slightly less than the height of the tank 101. The auger 102 is preferably mounted close to the center and substantially parallel to the axis of symmetry of the tank 101. This creates a mixing differential depending on the distance from the center of the auger: the central parts of the tank (near the sleeve 104) are more thoroughly mixed than the peripheral parts of the tank (far from the sleeve 104), thus allowing for substrate renewal. Advantageously, the insects can thus move within the substrate to reach areas with varying levels of nutrients, depending on their energy requirements and therefore their stage of growth. The device according to the invention thus optimizes insect growth by meeting their needs throughout their development.The inventors observed that a sheath diameter Dg between 10% and 25% of the main dimension Dc of the intermediate section 114 of the tank optimizes the insect movement cycle and thus the system's efficiency. Preferably, the sheath diameter Dg is between 15% and 18% of the main dimension Dc of the intermediate section 114 of the tank. These dimensions are schematically represented in [Fig. 2]. For clarity, the auger 102 and the arrows representing the movement of the substrate and insects are not shown in this figure.

[0045] The device 101 also includes at least one injection system (106, 106a, 106b). In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 3], the device has injection systems (106a, 106b) arranged on different levels of the tank 101. In another embodiment shown in [Fig. 2], the device has injection systems 106 positioned at the same level of the tank 101.

[0046] The injection system (106, 106a, 106b) is configured to introduce air and / or water into the tank 101. In the embodiment in which the injection system (106, 106a, 106b) allows the injection of air (hot or cold, dry or humid) into the tank, said system (106, 106a, 106b) is preferably connected to the tank 101 in its intermediate part 114 or lower part 116. In the embodiment in which the injection system 106b allows the injection of water into the tank, said system 106b is preferably connected to the tank 101 in its lower part 116, and the injection system 106b is preferably a nebulizer, a sprayer, a disperser and / or a water sprinkler. The 106b injection system can also be configured to simultaneously introduce air and water into the tank 101. Introducing air and / or water into the tank is advantageous because it prevents the insects from suffocating and / or dehydrating.

[0047] The device 101 further comprises an environmental sensor 108 in the intermediate portion 114 of the tank 101. The environmental sensor 108 can be any type of sensor capable of measuring data representative of an environmental parameter inside the tank. Preferably, the measured environmental parameters influence insect reproduction, growth, mortality, and abnormalities, and / or allow for the determination of the insects' potential needs. For example, the data measured by the environmental sensor 108 can, but are not limited to, be representative of the substrate temperature or density, the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2), the amount of oxygen (O2), the amount of ammonia (NH3), the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or the moisture content present in the substrate, the insect density, the quantity and / or quality of light, etc.

[0048] The environmental sensor 108 can allow the measurement of a plurality of environmental parameters.

[0049] In the embodiment in which the environmental sensor 108 allows for the measurement of representative data on the quantity of CO2 or ammonia, the humidity present in the substrate, or the substrate temperature, said sensor is advantageously located in the upper half of the intermediate section 114 of the tank. Indeed, it has been observed that it is in this part of the insect rearing area that CO2 and ammonia are produced in the greatest quantities and where humidity and temperature vary the most, due to the greater activity of the insects in this area.

[0050] Advantageously, measuring representative insect density data makes it possible to monitor insect growth, mass gain, and / or mortality. For example, the sensor used to measure representative insect density data is an imaging sensor.

[0051] The device 101 may further include a control unit connected to the drive system of the auger 102 and to the environmental sensor 108. For example, the control unit is configured to control, for example remotely, the rotation of the auger 102 or to collect and / or analyze the data recorded by the environmental sensor 108. The connection between the control unit, the drive system and the environmental sensor 108 may be a wired or wireless connection.

[0052] The present invention also relates to a method 200 for rearing insects. The method 200, shown in [Fig. 4], comprises a first introduction step 201 insects and their rearing substrate are placed in device 100. Preferably, only one species of insect is introduced into each tank. Introduction is preferably carried out through the top of tank 101. When tank 101 is equipped with a lid, introduction may, if necessary, be carried out through the opening in said lid.

[0053] The quantity of insects and substrate introduced depends on the internal volume of the tank 101. Preferably, the tank 101 is filled with substrate and insects to a height not exceeding the upper part 112 of the tank. This facilitates the discharge of the substrate and insects that have been conveyed by the auger 102.

[0054] In order to optimize insect rearing (i.e., to obtain the largest possible quantity of fully grown insects while minimizing losses due to cannibalism, disease, etc.), the insect density in the substrate is preferably between 1 and 10 insects per cubic centimeter. Indeed, it has been observed that too low an insect density slows insect growth. Conversely, too high an insect density leads to clumping, which also slows their growth. Advantageously, the large volume of the tank allows for a large quantity of insects to be contained, thus increasing the yield while minimizing the floor space used by the device.

[0055] Method 200 further includes a second step 203 of regularly determining at least one environmental parameter. This step 203 can be carried out using the environmental sensor 108. For example, the at least one environmental parameter can be measured continuously or discontinuously with a measurement frequency of between 1 and 5 times per day.

[0056] Depending on the environmental parameters measured in the second step 203, the method 200 further comprises at least one of the following steps: - a step 211 of injecting air and / or water into the tank 201, and / or - a step 215 of rotating the worm screw 102 to convey the substrate from the lower part 116 of the tank to the upper part 112 of the tank, and / or - a step 217 of injection of the breeding substrate.

[0057] These last three steps can be triggered manually by an operator or automatically using the control unit of device 100.

[0058] It is desirable that the humidity level remain constant throughout the insect growth. The humidity level allowing optimal growth depends on the type of insect being raised in the tank. For example, the hydration requirements of Hermetia illucens and Tenebrio molitor larvae are not the same. Thus, for Hermetia illucens, water injection step 211 is carried out, for example, when the humidity level is below 55% in order to increase the humidity level until it is between 60% and 75%. For mealworm-type insects, step 211 of water injection is carried out for example when the humidity level, which is a critical parameter for their growth, is less than 50% in order to increase the humidity level until it is between 55% and 65%.

[0059] In one embodiment, the water injected in step 211 has a temperature corresponding to the temperature in the tank 101. The water is, for example, injected using the injection system 106b into the lower part 116 of the tank at a flow rate of between 1 L and 20 L per hour. The quantity of water introduced depends on the volume of the tank 101. The water can be introduced by misting. Water injection is advantageous because it also allows nutrients to be introduced into the substrate.

[0060] In the embodiment in which the measured environmental parameter is the CO2 level, if the CO2 level is greater than 10%, step 211 of air injection can be carried out to reduce the CO2 level to between 0.5% and 10%. Similarly, the concentrations of O2 and ammonia can be controlled to maintain good insect growth conditions.

[0061] In one embodiment, the air injected in step 211 has a temperature corresponding to the temperature in the tank 101. The air is, for example, injected using the injection system (106, 106a, 106b) into the intermediate 114 and / or lower 116 section of the tank at a flow rate between 10 cubic meters per hour and 500 cubic meters per hour. The quantity of air introduced depends on the volume of the tank 101. Advantageously, the injected air can be humid, thus allowing simultaneous modification of the CO2, O2, and ammonia levels, as well as the humidity level in the tank.

[0062] It is also desirable that the substrate temperature remain constant throughout the insect growth. For example, when the temperature is below +15°C, the warming stage is carried out. Similarly, when the temperature is above +35°C, the cooling stage is carried out. The temperature allowing optimal growth depends on the type of insect being raised in the tank. For example, for Hermetia illucens, Method 200 may optionally include a cooling or warming stage so that the substrate temperature, which is a critical parameter for their growth, is between +26°C and +32°C. For mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), Method 200 may optionally include a cooling or warming stage so that the substrate temperature is between +25°C and +30°C.The cooling or heating stage is carried out, for example, by injecting cold or hot air respectively.

[0063] Finally, in yet another example, when the measured environmental parameter is the quantity and / or quality of illuminance, method 200 may optionally include a step of varying the quantity of light emitted in the tank. This is advantageous because it allows for the control of the growth and reproduction of Hermetia illucens through the simulation of day / night cycles. Conversely, for mealworm-type insects, total darkness is preferable.

[0064] When step 217 of substrate injection is carried out, the rearing substrate is preferably injected from the top of the tank, for example, through the opening in the lid. Alternatively, or in combination with the preceding embodiment, the substrate is injected into the lower part 116 of the tank. Substrate injections are carried out to increase the volume accessible to the larvae as they grow (fatten), so as to control their density. Indeed, as described above, the growth of certain insects is influenced by insect density and their interactions. Substrate injection is preferably carried out between 1 and 6 times per month.

[0065] Nutrients, in liquid or solid form, can be introduced into the tank along with the substrate during step 217. Alternatively, the nutrients can be introduced independently of the substrate. The nutrients can then be injected at the base of the screw conveyor 102 to be conveyed to the upper part of the tank by the rotation of the screw 102. When the nutrients are in liquid form, they are preferentially introduced from the top of the tank.

[0066] Advantageously, temperature measurement also makes it possible to determine the insects' nutrient requirements. Indeed, insects are poikilothermic (cold-blooded) animals. The heat released by insects is therefore linked to their metabolism, friction between them, and their movements. Variations in substrate temperature caused by the insects' heat release are thus closely linked to their metabolism. Thus, when the substrate temperature drops, this indicates a decrease in the insects' metabolism and therefore a need for food. Temperature measurement can therefore determine whether to trigger step 217, which involves substrate injection, or to introduce nutrients alone in order to maintain optimal growth.

[0067] The air, water, and / or substrate injected in steps 211 and 217 can be mixed with the substrate and insects previously present in the tank using the auger 102, which is rotated during step 215. Advantageously, the rotation of the auger 102 also allows for the removal of CO2 and / or ammonia present in the tank and / or for modifying the density of the rearing substrate. The rotation can be achieved using the drive system of device 100. The rotation can be intermittent; that is, during step 215, the auger 102 can be rotated and then stopped repeatedly. The duration and / or frequency of rotation depends on the volume of tank 101. For example, the total rotation time during step 215 is between 1 minute and 60 minutes. The rotational drive of the screw can be continuous, that is to say, during step 215, the worm screw 102 can be put into continuous rotation.

[0068] The insects introduced in step 201 into the tank 101 remain there for a predetermined period to achieve the desired growth. For example, when the insects are mealworms (Tenebrio Molitor), the predetermined period is preferably 1 to 2 months to reach the maximum larval size before pupation. For Hermetia Illucens larvae, the predetermined period is preferably 7 to 20 days to reach the maximum larval size before pupation. The second step 203, which involves regularly determining environmental parameter(s), is carried out throughout this predetermined period. The steps 211 of injecting air and / or water, 215 of rotating the auger, and / or 217 of injecting the rearing substrate can be carried out repeatedly throughout this predetermined period.

[0069] At the end of the predetermined period, the insects and the substrate can be removed from the tank, for example via hatch 110 of device 100. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0070] [Fig-1] is a diagram representing the insect rearing device according to a mode of the realization of the invention.

[0071] [Fig.2] represents the division into three parts of the tank of the insect rearing device according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0072] [Fig.3] is a diagram representing the insect rearing device according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0073] [Fig.4] is a diagram representing the method of raising insects according to an embodiment of the invention. EXAMPLE

[0074] A mealworm rearing campaign was carried out in a tank comprising a conical section surmounted by a cylindrical section. The tank dimensions are 300 cm high and 125 cm in diameter at the intermediate section. The duct has a diameter of 20 cm. The tank also has environmental sensors placed at a height of 200 cm, as well as a water injector located in the lower section at a distance of 25 cm from the center of the tank, and two air injectors located in the intermediate section of the tank at heights of 100 cm and 200 cm.

[0075] 5000 g of a mixture of eggs and mealworm larvae less than 1 cm in size are introduced into a tank 101 containing 100 kg of substrate made up of brewery spent grains.

[0076] In this example, the nutrients used are waste products from the brewing industry. They are the constituents of the substrate and are introduced into tank 101 throughout their growth. Thus, during the growth of the insects, approximately 400 kg of substrate will be introduced into tank 101 in order to provide the necessary nutrients.

[0077] The temperature, humidity level, CO2 level and the amount of ammonia contained in the tank 101 are measured at least once a day using the environmental sensor 108.

[0078] The steps 211 of injecting air and / or water into the tank 101, 215 of driving the screw 102 into rotation and 217 of injecting the rearing substrate are carried out according to the measured parameters.

[0079] When the humidity level is less than 50%, step 211 of injecting water into tank 101 is carried out in order to increase the humidity level until it is between 55% and 65%.

[0080] When the temperature is below +18°C, the heating step is carried out by injecting hot air and when the temperature is above +35°C, the cooling step is carried out by injecting cold air so that the substrate temperature is between +25°C and +30°C.

[0081] When the CO2 level is greater than 10%, step 211 of air injection is carried out in order to decrease the CO2 level until it is between 0.5% and 10%.

[0082] After a predetermined period of 2 months, the insects are mature and measure between 2.5 cm and 3.5 cm. The tank thus contains 50 kg of insects ready for harvest.

[0083] The mortality rate is estimated to be between 0 and 20%.

[0084] The insect rearing device of the invention simplifies the supply chain, reduces handling, optimizes insect growth, and limits health risks and the risk of cannibalism. Indeed, to achieve the growth efficiency generated by the invention while limiting health risks and cannibalism, known rearing tray systems require between 1,000 and 1,500 trays per year, which considerably complicates the supply chain and increases the number of handling operations. DIGITAL REFERENCES

[0085] 100 - Insect rearing device

[0086] 101 - Tank

[0087] 102 - Worm screw

[0088] 104 - Sheath

[0089] 106, 106a, 106b - Injection system

[0090] 108 - Environmental sensor

[0091] 110 - Hatch

[0092] 112 - Upper part of the tank

[0093] 114 - Intermediate part of the tank

[0094] 116 - Lower part of the tank

[0095] Dc - Main dimension of the tank

[0096] Dg - Sheath diameter

[0097] 200 - Method for rearing insects

[0098] 201 - Introduction of insects and their rearing substrate into the rearing device

[0099] 203 - Regular determination of at least one environmental parameter in the intermediate part of the tank

[0100] 211 - Injection of air and / or water into the tank

[0101] 215 - Worm screw rotation drive

[0102] 217 - Injection of breeding substrate

Claims

Demands

1. Insect rearing device (100) comprising - a tank (101) configured to receive insects and their rearing substrate, - an auger (102) placed in a sleeve (104) inside the tank (101), the part of the tank located below the sleeve (104) being the lower part (116) of the tank, the part of the tank located above the sleeve (104) being the upper part (112) of the tank, and the part of the tank located between the lower (116) and upper (112) parts being the intermediate part (114) of the tank;said auger (102) being mounted to rotate freely by means of a drive system and arranged to convey the insects from the lower part (116) of the tank to the upper part (112) of the tank, - at least one injection system (106, 106a, 106b) configured to introduce air and / or water into the tank (101), and - an environmental sensor (108) in the intermediate part (114) of the tank.;

2. Insect rearing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the lower part (116) of the tank is conical.

3. Insect rearing device (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lower part (116) of the tank further comprises a hatch (110) configured to allow the evacuation of the insects and their rearing substrate.

4. Insect rearing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the diameter (Dg) of the sheath (104) is between 10% and 25% of the main dimension (Dc) of the intermediate part (114) of the tank.

5. Insect rearing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one injection system (106, 106a) comprises air injectors distributed over the lower (116) and intermediate (114) parts of the tank.

6. Insect rearing device (100) according to any one of the claims indications 1 to 5, wherein at least one injection system (106b) includes water injectors distributed over the lower part (116) of the tank, the water injectors advantageously being nebulizers, sprayers, dispersers and / or water sprinklers.

7. Insect rearing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the environmental sensor (108) comprises a CO2 sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor and / or an ammonia sensor, advantageously located in the upper half of the intermediate part (114) of the tank.

8. Insect rearing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a control unit connected to the screw drive system (102) and the environmental sensor (108).

9. Method (200) of rearing insects comprising the following steps: - Introducing (201) insects and their rearing substrate into an insect rearing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, - Regularly determining (203) at least one environmental parameter in the intermediate part (114) of the tank, - Depending on the at least one environmental parameter: • Injecting (211) air and / or water into the tank (101), and / or • Rotating (215) the auger (102) to convey the rearing substrate from the lower part (116) of the tank to the upper part (112) of the tank, and / or • Injecting (217) rearing substrate.

10. Method (200) of raising insects according to claim 9, wherein the rotation of the worm screw (102) is intermittent.

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