Method for pausing development of insect neonate larvae

Abstract

The present invention concerns a method for delaying the development of insect larvae, comprising (a) providing a batch of insect larvae; (b) combining the batch of larvae with a particulate material to obtain a neotenic mixture, wherein the particulate material is an animal feed filler; and (c) storing the neotenic mixture at a temperature below 15 °C and a relative humidity of at least 60 %. Surprisingly, insect larvae stored for a prolonged period under such conditions are able to continue their development after being aroused to essentially the same extent as insect larvae which have not undergone a delay in development. The invention further concerns a neotenic mixture comprising a batch of insect larvae and a particulate material, wherein the particulate material is an animal feed filler.