Device for performing insect-rearing operations

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (5) capable of performing at least one operation for rearing insects in insect-rearing trays separated vertically from one another by a predefined inter-tray space, this device comprising: - a first main pipe extending between a first end intended to be removably connected to a mouth of a transport pipe and a second end opposite the first end; - a first bypass pipe (55) extending between a first proximal end (56) connected to the first main pipe and a first free distal end (57), this first bypass pipe (55) being movable between a working position in which the first distal end is intended to be in an inter-tray space and a rest position in which the first distal end is intended to be retracted from the inter-tray space.

Description

Device for carrying out insect breeding operations

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of insect breeding, and more particularly to devices configured to carry out insect breeding operations.

[0002] Insect rearing units incorporating racks of rearing containers, typically trays stacked in several rows in a controlled environment, are known in the state of the art. Insect rearing operations in such units cover any operation promoting the maintenance of life and / or growth of insects to a desired stage of development or a target product (e.g., eggs, larvae, nymphs, or adult insects).

[0003] A disadvantage of current breeding techniques in these units is that they are semi-industrial, even artisanal, due to the fact that they carry out breeding operations by breeding tank taken individually. Indeed, even if devices configured for insect breeding operations exist, the latter remain perfectible because they involve numerous manipulations.

[0004] When the breeding unit is intended for the implementation of an insect breeding process to obtain a specific final product at a high rate with fairly frequent sequences of breeding operations (for example, the production of breeding insects in a production process, eggs in an egg-laying process, or young adult insects in a reproduction process), the capacities of existing systems prove to be limited.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to propose a device for carrying out insect breeding operations in a breeding unit organized into trays capable of handling a significant number of breeding operations.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide devices for carrying out insect breeding operations in a highly automated and efficient manner.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to propose a device which meets multiple functional criteria, in particular the capacity to carry out a plurality of breeding operations, while optimizing the volume used.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to simplify insect breeding processes, particularly for individuals.

[0009] To this end, there is proposed, firstly, a device capable of carrying out at least one insect breeding operation in insect breeding tanks vertically separated from each other by a predefined inter-tank space, this device comprising: a first main conduit extending between a first end intended to be removably connected to a mouth of a transport pipe and a second end opposite said first end; - a first branch conduit extending between a first proximal end connected to the first main conduit and a first free distal end, this first branch conduit being movable between a working position in which the first distal end is intended to be in an inter-tank space and a rest position in which the first distal end is intended to be set back from said inter-tank space;- a closure member capable of closing or opening the bypass conduit at the first distal end and / or at the first proximal end, this closure member being configured to open, when a predefined condition is met, the first bypass conduit when this first bypass conduit is in a working position and to close the first bypass conduit when this first bypass conduit is in a rest position.;

[0010] Various additional features may be provided, alone or in combination:- the bypass duct is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the first main duct;- the device further comprises a second bypass duct substantially symmetrical to the first bypass duct with respect to a longitudinal axis of the first main duct, the first bypass duct and the second bypass duct forming a pair of bypass ducts;- the device comprises a plurality of pairs of bypass ducts forming two rows of bypass ducts substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first main duct;- the device further comprises a sensor capable of measuring an insect breeding parameter, this sensor being movable between a working position in which this sensor is intended to be in the inter-tank space and a rest position in which this sensor is intended to be set back relative to the inter-tank space;- the device further comprises a second main conduit independent of the first main conduit, at least one third bypass conduit extending between a second proximal end connected to the second main conduit and a second free distal end, this second bypass conduit being movable between a working position in which the second distal end is intended to be in the inter-tank space and a rest position in which the second distal end is intended to be set back from the inter-tank space, the third bypass conduit being substantially parallel to the first bypass conduit; - the device further comprises a metering device at the first end.;

[0011] Secondly, an insect breeding unit is proposed comprising: - insect breeding tanks separated vertically from each other by a predefined inter-tank space, these tanks being arranged in tiers in at least two rows separated by an aisle, the inter-tank space being accessible from the aisle; - a transport pipe incorporating a mouth accessible from said aisle; - the device presented above.

[0012] Various additional features may be provided, alone or in combination:- the breeding unit further comprises means of locomotion enabling said device to be moved along said alley;- the transport pipe is a suction or distribution pipe;- the device presented above is configured to perform a function of capturing a gas released by the insects in the breeding unit, the transport pipe being a suction pipe.

[0013] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly and concretely on reading the following description of embodiments, which is given with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0014] the figure schematically illustrates an insect breeding unit according to various embodiments;

[0015] the figure shows an enlarged partial detail of the figure;

[0016] the figure schematically illustrates a device for insect breeding operations according to various embodiments;

[0017] the figure represents an exploded view of a device for insect breeding operations according to various embodiments;

[0018] the figure schematically illustrates a transport pipeline according to various embodiments;

[0019] the figure schematically illustrates an operation of the insect breeding device according to various embodiments;

[0020] the figure schematically illustrates another operation of the insect breeding device according to various embodiments;

[0021] the figure schematically illustrates another operation of the insect breeding device according to various embodiments;

[0022] the figure schematically illustrates means of locomotion of the insect breeding device according to various embodiments.

[0023] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions will be designated by the same references.

[0024] Referring to the, an insect breeding unit10 is shown incorporating at least one row1 of a rack with tiered bins2. Insect breeding bins2 are, in fact, arranged in at least one row1 of a multi-tier (or multi-level) rack. In other words, bins2 are arranged in tiers in a plurality of rows1 (or shelves). The rows1 of the rack thus have a tiered arrangement of insect breeding bins2.

[0025] In this racking with tiered bins, the insect breeding bins are, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, vertically separated from each other by a predefined inter-bin space (i.e. between two successive insect breeding bins). The bins arranged in tiers are vertically spaced by a predefined inter-bin space. A predefined vertical inter-bin distance is provided between two successive tiered bins. This distance is substantially the same between any pair of superimposed insect breeding bins. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bins are arranged in tiers with a substantially constant vertical spacing.

[0026] In one embodiment, the insect rearing unit10 comprises a plurality of rows1 of a tiered bin rack2. Two successive rows1 may be facing (opposite) each other or back-to-back with respect to each other. In one embodiment, a multi-tier rack comprises rows1 arranged in the middle of the rearing unit10 in pairs of back-to-back rows, forming double rows1, and two edge rows1 arranged on either side of the double rows1. The rows1 are preferably arranged in a longitudinal direction of the insect rearing unit10 and / or substantially parallel to each other.

[0027] Each row1 is bordered by an aisle3. Two rows1 facing each other are separated by an aisle3 (i.e., a corridor or passage). Two rows1 facing each other have a common aisle3 extending along these two rows1. Preferably, a first row and a second row facing each other are arranged on either side of an aisle3. In one embodiment, rows1 and / or double rows1 are regularly spaced apart from each other so as to form aisles3 between them.

[0028] Of course, the number of rows1 and / or the number of levels in a row1 of the racking with tiered trays2 depends on the internal volume available in the insect breeding unit10. In the example of figures 1 and 2, the insect breeding unit10 comprises a double central row1 separated, on the one hand, from a first edge row1 by a first aisle3 and, on the other hand, from a second edge row1 by a second aisle3. The trays in two rows facing each other or on either side of an aisle3 may be intended for breeding insects of the same species or at the same stage of development.

[0029] The insect breeding tanks2 are generally parallelepipedal in shape, in particular rectangular. Each of the tanks2 has side walls connecting a substantially flat bottom wall to an open upper face opposite the bottom wall. When a tank2 is placed in the tank rack, its bottom wall is substantially horizontal.

[0030] In one embodiment, support elements4 (or a support structure) holding the bins2 vertically separated from each other by a predefined inter-bin space allow lateral access to this inter-bin space from the aisle3 adjacent to the row1 formed by these tiered bins2. An aisle3 thus allows lateral access to each of the tiered bins2 forming the row1 extended by this aisle3. The bins2 of two facing rows are accessible from the same aisle3 separating these two rows1. Advantageously, the inter-bin space allows air circulation between the bins2, promoting air renewal in these bins2. The support elements4 allow regular stacking of the bins2, while allowing ventilation of the bins2.

[0031] The support elements are, for example, a shelf structure adapted to receive the trays so that they are stacked on top of each other with a predefined inter-tray space along a row. More generally, the support elements comprise a stepped structure incorporating a plurality of levels for arranging the insect breeding trays. For example, the support elements comprise vertical uprights attached to horizontal crosspieces intended to hold insect breeding trays uniformly spaced vertically from each other in a column. The support elements are, in one embodiment, formed from a plurality of modules mounted on rollers or casters facilitating their handling.

[0032] In another embodiment, the insect breeding tanks2 comprise feet or support elements forming support elements4 making it possible to present, when these tanks2 are superimposed, a tiered arrangement of the insect breeding tanks2 with a predefined inter-tank space along a row1. These support elements extend vertically from the lower lateral edges of a tank2 to bear against the upper lateral edges opposite the tank2 below, while allowing lateral access from the aisle3 to each of the tanks2. More generally, the tanks2 are arranged in tiers with an inter-tank space accessible from the aisle3 running along the row1 formed by these tiered tanks2.

[0033] The insect rearing unit10 is, in one embodiment illustrated by Figures 1 and 2, a shipping container (the conventional parallelepiped metal box, designed for the transport of goods). Such a rearing unit facilitates the logistics associated with insect rearing. This example of a rearing unit10 is, of course, in no way limiting. The insect rearing unit10 may be a workshop, a factory, a farm or, more generally, any indoor environment intended for the rearing of insects. When the insect rearing unit10 is transportable or mobile, the trays2 are, preferably, slightly recessed or, more generally, fixed to the support elements4 so as to provide a certain stability to the rows1 of trays2 and to resist horizontal accelerations of this rearing unit10.

[0034] Furthermore, the insect breeding unit10 is equipped with a device5 for insect breeding operations capable of carrying out at least one insect breeding operation in the tanks2.

[0035] Insect rearing operation means any periodic or non-periodic operation that must be carried out for the proper growth of insects, their maintenance and / or the optimization of rearing conditions. These operations are, for example, a feeding operation, a water supply operation, a cleaning operation (washing and / or disinfection) of the tanks2, an insect collection operation, an operation of concentration / dilution of the insect density in a tank2 by adding / removing insects, an operation of depositing insects or rearing substrate in the tanks2, an operation of sorting the contents of the tanks (for example, between live and dead insects, between insects and waste, or between insects at different stages of development), or an operation of observation of a parameter associated with the insect rearing unit10.

[0036] Referring to the exploded perspective view illustrated by the device5, the latter comprises a chassis50 on which a main conduit51 is mounted. This main conduit51 extends between a first end52 and a second end53 opposite the first end52. Its first end52 is intended to be removably connected to a mouth61 of a transport pipe6 (or pipeline) (see, in particular,). This mouth61 opens onto the aisle3 or, more generally, is accessible from the aisle3. A collar54 fitted to the first end52 facilitates the connection of the main conduit51 to a mouth61 of the transport pipe6. This removable connection of the main conduit51 can be carried out by applying the collar54 against a complementary collar fitted to the mouth61 of the transport pipe6.

[0037] The main conduit51 is in the form of a tubular body, preferably made of food material, a first end52 of which is capable of being removably connected to the transport conduit6. In one embodiment, the second end53 is closed by a plug. In another embodiment, the second end of the main conduit51 is intended to be removably connected to a mouth of a discharge conduit.

[0038] In one embodiment, the insect breeding operation device5 comprises, at the first end52 of the main conduit51, a dosing device59 (a dosing valve, for example). This dosing device59 is configured to dose an object (such as food, insects, a substrate, a cleaning product) which, depending on the breeding operation implemented, is recovered from the transport pipe6 or transmitted to it (such as a volumetric, flowmeter or weight dosing device). The transport pipe6 may be equipped with a worm screw, a suction device, a discharge device or any other equivalent device making it possible to deliver an object to the insect breeding operation device5 (insects, substrate, food, pressurized air, cleaning product, for example) or to recover an object therefrom (insects, waste, substrate for example). In other words, the transport pipe6 may be a distribution pipe or, on the contrary, a suction pipe.

[0039] At least one closable bypass conduit55 is interposed between the first end52 and the second end53 of the main conduit51. This bypass conduit55 extends between a proximal end56 connected to the main conduit51 and a free distal end57. The main conduit51 and the bypass conduit form between them a substantially right angle or slightly less (for example, between 80° and 90° or between 85° and 90°) such that the distal end57 of the bypass conduit is slightly inclined towards the second end53 of the main conduit51.

[0040] A closure member58 makes it possible to close or open the bypass conduit55 at its distal end and / or at its proximal end56. In one embodiment, the closure member58 is arranged at the proximal end connected to the main conduit51 (in the connection zone of the bypass conduit55 to the main conduit51). In combination or alternatively, another closure member58 is arranged at the free distal end57 of the bypass conduit55. The closure member is of the solenoid valve type or equivalent, such as an electromechanical opening / closing mechanism, capable of allowing or preventing fluid communication of the bypass conduit55 via its proximal end56 with the main conduit51 and / or via its distal end57 with the outside. A closure member at the proximal end isolates the contents of the main conduit from the bypass conduit, while a distal closure member drains the bypass conduit.In one embodiment, the pressure level in the bypass conduit 55 causes the closure member 58 disposed at the distal end 57 to move from the closed position to the open position. In one embodiment, each of the closure members can be automatically actuated to move from a closed position to an open position and vice versa.

[0041] The bypass conduit55 is movable between a working position in which its distal end57 is intended to be in the inter-tank space between two superimposed breeding tanks2 and a rest position in which its distal end57 is intended to be set back from the inter-tank space. The inter-tank space or the vertical distance between two superimposed tanks2 is chosen so as to allow the free distal end57 of the bypass conduit55 to be introduced therein. When the bypass conduit is in the working position, its distal end57 is preferably substantially opposite the center of the bottom wall of the insect breeding tank2. Such an arrangement of the distal end57 of the bypass conduit ensures, for example, a substantially uniform distribution of the food in the tanks2. A homogeneous distribution of food allows for good homogeneity of the harvested insects.

[0042] In an embodiment illustrated by Figures 3 and 6, the bypass conduit55 is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the main conduit51. In one implementation, the bypass conduit55 is rotated by the main conduit51 coupled to rotation means, such as a motor, carried by the chassis50. Advantageously, a fraction of a turn, in particular a quarter of a turn, of the main conduit51 makes it possible to move the bypass conduit55 from its working position to its rest position and vice versa.

[0043] Advantageously, when the breeding operations device5 is arranged in an aisle3 and the branch conduit55 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aisle3 between two inter-bin spaces facing each other of the two rows delimiting this aisle3, a quarter turn of the branch conduit55 (or, equivalently in this example, of the main conduit51) allows it to be moved from its rest position to its working position in one or other of the two inter-bin spaces facing each other on either side of the aisle3 as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. A rotational movement of the branch conduit55 (or, equivalently in this example, of the main conduit51) by a quarter turn in the opposite direction allows it to be returned to its rest position.Of course, other types of rotational and / or translational movements of the bypass conduit55 may be envisaged to move it from its working position to its rest position and vice versa. The length of the bypass conduit55, the arrangement of the support elements4 and the position in the aisle3 of the breeding operation device5 are chosen so as to allow the introduction and removal of the bypass conduit55 from the inter-tank space without it touching the support elements4. The support elements4 are, in fact, arranged so as to reserve for the bypass conduit55 lateral access from the aisle3 to the space between two superimposed tanks.

[0044] The closure member58 is configured to open, when a predefined condition is met, the bypass conduit55 when this bypass conduit55 is in a working position and to close the bypass conduit55 when this first bypass conduit is in a rest position. Depending on the insect breeding operation to be carried out, said predefined condition is, for example, a predefined duration, a predefined volume, an instruction, a detection of the presence of an object (presence of a tank2, insects, or waste for example), a detection of the absence of an object (absence of insects, substrates, waste or food for example).

[0045] In one embodiment, the insect breeding operation device5 comprises a second branch conduit55 substantially symmetrical to the branch conduit55 described above with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main conduit51. These two branch conduits55 form a pair of branch conduits55 on either side of the main conduit51. As a result, advantageously, the device5 is capable of carrying out an insect breeding operation simultaneously in two insect breeding tanks2 substantially diametrically opposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main conduit51.

[0046] In the embodiments illustrated by the appended figures, the device5 comprises a plurality of pairs of branch conduits55. These pairs of branch conduits55 form two rows of branch conduits55 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main conduit51. The two rows of branch conduits55 are substantially in the same plane integrating the longitudinal axis of the main conduit51. Each of these branch conduits55 is individually connected to the main conduit51. The distance between two successive branch conduits55 in each of the two rows is substantially equal to the distance between two successive vertically inter-bin spaces. Consequently, the branch conduits55 can be simultaneously in the working position in two columns of bins2 diametrically opposite with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main conduit51.A first rotation of the main conduit (or, equivalently, of the branch conduits) around its longitudinal axis (for example, by 45°) allows the distal ends of the branch conduits to be placed back from the inter-tank spaces (corresponding to the rest position of the branch conduits). A second rotation of the main conduit (or, equivalently, of the branch conduits) around its longitudinal axis (for example, by 45°) allows the distal ends of the branch conduits to be placed in the inter-tank spaces (corresponding to the working position of the branch conduits) of the two columns of diametrically opposed tanks relative to the longitudinal axis of the main conduit.

[0047] In another embodiment, the bypass conduit55 and / or the main conduit51 comprise one or more filtering devices (such as a density separator or a sieve). When the main conduit51 comprises a separation device, its second end53 can be connected to a mouth of a discharge conduit.

[0048] Furthermore, the device5 is provided with at least one sensor7 capable of measuring or observing an insect rearing parameter. By insect rearing parameter, reference is made to any parameter (in particular, environmental), condition or criterion suitable or, on the contrary, unsuitable for rearing insects in the rearing unit10 such as temperature, air humidity, atmospheric pressure, light, carbon dioxide level or any other constituent of the air. The sensor is, for example, a thermometer, a hygrometer, an air quality sensor (such as a gas sensor, a fine particle sensor, and / or a bacteria sensor), a brightness sensor, an image sensor (such as an optical camera or a thermal camera). It follows that the device5 is, advantageously, instrumented in the sense that it can comprise a plurality of sensors capable of carrying out measurements of any parameter characteristic of a state of the rearing unit10.The sensor7 can be attached to the frame50 of the device5 or, preferably, to the main conduit51 or to a branch conduit55. Just like the distal end of the branch conduit55, the sensor7 is preferably movable between a working position in which this sensor7 is intended to be in the inter-tank space and a rest position in which this sensor7 is intended to be set back from the inter-tank space. As a result, advantageously, the device5 makes it possible to observe insect breeding parameters at precise positions of the breeding unit10, in particular as close as possible to each breeding tank2.

[0049] In one embodiment, the device5 comprises a second main conduit51a independent of the main conduit51a described above. This second main conduit51a to which are connected branch conduits55a similar to those described above may, for example, be reserved for the diffusion of a fluid (pressurized air, water, or disinfectant for example). These branch conduits55a are, in one embodiment, provided with nozzles at their free distal ends. The branch conduits of the second main conduit51a are substantially parallel to the branch conduit55 of the first main conduit51a. Said second main conduit51a makes it possible, for example, to carry out an operation of supplying water to the tanks2 by misting or nebulization, a cleaning operation by compressed air blade or by diffusion of a disinfectant.

[0050] In one embodiment, the insect rearing operation device5 is further configured to perform a function of capturing or sucking a gas released by the insects in the rearing unit10 (the transport pipe6 being, in this case, suction). This gas comprises, for example, ammonia NH3, methane CH4 or a mixture thereof. Indeed, insects, such as black soldier fly (BSF) larvae feeding on organic waste (fruit, vegetable or cereal residues for example) metabolize them and produce ammonia as a by-product. For this, the first main pipe51 or the second main pipe51a can be used for capturing or sucking a gas emitted by the insects via their respective bypass pipes55,55. The sucked gas is conveyed by the transport pipe6 to a storage unit12.Further processing may be applied to the collected gas (such as a purification operation) for use in a conversion process (to produce electricity, for example).

[0051] To carry out an insect breeding operation in any of the bins2 accessible from an aisle3, the device5 is able to move in this aisle3. The aisles3 are, in fact, arranged to allow the movement of the insect breeding device5 between the rows1 of the shelving. These aisles3 are left free of any obstacle to facilitate the movement of the insect breeding device5. Advantageously, the shape of the device5 (whose branch conduits55,55 extend into the inter-bin spaces) requires little space to move around in the breeding unit10. The guidance data of the device5 include, in particular, the location data of the stops of the device5 in an aisle3 at which insect breeding operations can be carried out in bins2 facing each other on either side of this aisle3.

[0052] The insect rearing operation device5 is, in one embodiment, a mobile robot or an automatic guided vehicle (or “Automatic Guided Vehicle” in English). Various automation technologies (geoguiding, wire guidance, or optoguiding, for example) can be implemented for the automatic guidance of the device5 in the insect rearing unit10.

[0053] In combination or alternatively, the device5 is provided with locomotion means9 enabling the device5 to be moved along at least one aisle3. These locomotion means9 are, for example, a guide structure of the device5. As illustrated by the, the locomotion means9 are capable of simultaneously moving a plurality of devices5 in successive aisles3. These locomotion means9 comprise, for example, a rail conveyor from which one or more devices5 are suspended, motorized wheels carrying the chassis50 of the device5, and / or a combination of these means.

[0054] A control unit embedded in the insect rearing operation device or remotely allows the planning of rearing operations to be carried out, the control of the movements of the device or a fleet of insect rearing operation devices, and the control and monitoring of the implementation of a sequence of insect rearing operations.

[0055] For example, for a feeding operation, the device5 is moved to a predefined position in the aisle3 allowing access to the bins2 facing each other on either side of this position. At this position, the branch conduits55 are set back from the inter-bin spaces and the main conduit51 is substantially vertical and coaxial with a mouth61 of the transport pipe6. The first end52 of the main conduit51 and the mouth61 of the transport pipe6 are in line with each other so as to allow the passage through this connection of a feed transported by the transport pipe6 from a silo11 or a storage tank. A first rotation of the main conduit51 (in particular by 45°) around its longitudinal axis allows the branch conduits55 to be introduced into two columns of inter-bin spaces.The successive control of the closure members58 allows a distribution of the feed in the two columns of tanks2 diametrically opposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main conduit51 (first diagonal). A second rotation of the main conduit51 (in particular of -90°) around its longitudinal axis allows the introduction of the bypass conduits55 into the other two columns of inter-tank spaces. The successive control of the closure members58 allows a distribution of the feed in the other two columns of tanks2 diametrically opposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main conduit51 (2nd diagonal). Each of the closure members58 is arranged in the open position at the time of the supply of food in the corresponding tank2, then returned to the closed position, once the supply has been made.A third rotation of the main conduit51 (in particular -45°) around its longitudinal axis allows the branch conduits55 to be set back from the inter-bin spaces. The first end52 of the main conduit51 can be separated from the transport conduit6 and the device5 can move to another target position in the aisle3.

[0056] Advantageously, the embodiments described above allow for optimized industrial management of insect breeding, where virtually all insect breeding operations can be carried out and monitored in an automated manner.

Claims

Device (5) capable of carrying out at least one insect breeding operation in insect breeding tanks (2) separated vertically from each other by a predefined inter-tank space, this device (5) comprising - a first main conduit (51) extending between a first end (52) intended to be removably connected to a mouth of a transport pipe (6) and a second end (53) opposite said first end (52); - a first branch conduit (55) extending between a first proximal end (56) connected to the first main conduit (51) and a first free distal end (57), this first branch conduit (55) being movable between a working position in which the first distal end (57) is intended to be in an inter-tank space and a rest position in which the first distal end (57) is intended to be set back relative to said inter-tank space;- a closure member (58) capable of closing or opening the bypass conduit (55) at the first distal end and / or at the first proximal end, this closure member (58) being configured to open, when a predefined condition is met, the first bypass conduit (55) when this first bypass conduit (55) is in a working position and to close the first bypass conduit (55) when this first bypass conduit (55) is in a rest position.; Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bypass conduit (55) is movable in rotation around a longitudinal axis of the first main conduit (51). Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises a second branch conduit (55) substantially symmetrical to the first branch conduit (55) with respect to a longitudinal axis of the first main conduit (51), the first branch conduit (55) and the second branch conduit (55) forming a pair of branch conduits (55). Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of pairs of branch conduits (55) forming two rows of branch conduits (55) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first main conduit (51). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a sensor (7) capable of measuring an insect breeding parameter, this sensor being movable between a working position in which this sensor (7) is intended to be in the inter-tank space and a rest position in which this sensor (7) is intended to be set back relative to the inter-tank space. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a second main conduit (51) independent of the first main conduit (51), at least a third bypass conduit extending between a second proximal end (56) connected to the second main conduit (51) and a second free distal end (57), this second bypass conduit (55) being movable between a working position in which the second distal end (57) is intended to be in the inter-tank space and a rest position in which the second distal end (57) is intended to be set back from the inter-tank space, the third bypass conduit being substantially parallel to the first bypass conduit (55). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a metering device at the first end (52). Insect breeding unit (10) comprising- insect breeding tanks (2) separated vertically from each other by a predefined inter-tank space, these tanks (2) being arranged in tiers in at least two rows (1) separated by an aisle, the inter-tank space being accessible from the aisle (3);- a transport pipe (6) incorporating a mouth accessible from said aisle (3);- the device (5) of any one of the preceding claims. Breeding unit (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it further comprises locomotion means (9) making it possible to move said device (5) along said alley (3). Breeding unit (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the transport pipe (6) is a suction or distribution pipe. Breeding unit (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the device (5) is configured to ensure a function of capturing a gas released by the insects in the breeding unit (10), the transport pipe (6) being a suction pipe.

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