What Protein Powders Are Made From Bugs? Types and Uses

★ Quick AnswerProtein powders made from bugs are produced from farmed insects, mainly yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens), house cricket (Acheta domesticus), lesser mealworm and migratory locust. The insects are killed, dried, optionally defatted, then milled into a powder. Whole-insect powders suit food and feed, while defatted insect protein meals are mainly sold as higher-protein feed and pet food ingredients.

Insect protein powder is no longer a novelty ingredient. Several species are now farmed at commercial scale, and regulators in the EU, the US and Canada have defined or authorised specific insect products. This guide explains which insects are used, how the powders are made, how the main types differ, and what buyers should check before sourcing.

Table of Contents

1. Which Insects Are Used to Make Protein Powder
2. How Insect Protein Powder Is Made
3. Whole-Insect Powder vs Defatted Insect Protein Meal
4. Mealworm Protein Powder
5. Black Soldier Fly Protein Powder
6. Cricket, Locust and Other Insect Powders
7. Where Insect Protein Powders Are Used
8. Regulatory Status in the EU and North America
9. Safety, Allergens and Quality Control
10. Buyer Checklist for Insect Protein Powder
11. FAQ
12. References

Which Insects Are Used to Make Protein Powder

Only a handful of insect species are produced in volume. They are chosen because they can be reared in controlled indoor systems, grow quickly, tolerate high density and have a workable nutrient profile. Species commonly used for protein powders include:

Table: insect species commonly processed into protein powders. Availability and approved uses differ by country.

Black soldier fly larvae in particular are a major feed-ingredient species. Buyers comparing species can browse black soldier fly larvae products alongside mealworm-based options.

◆ Definition: insect protein powderA dry, milled ingredient made from farmed insects after killing, drying and grinding. It may contain the whole insect (protein, fat and chitin) or be defatted to raise protein concentration. The term covers products for food, animal feed and pet food, which are regulated separately.

How Insect Protein Powder Is Made

Production steps are broadly similar across species, although equipment and parameters vary by manufacturer.

▶ NoteEach step affects protein quality, fat stability and microbiology. Ask suppliers which kill step, drying method and defatting process they use, and request batch-level test reports.

Whole-Insect Powder vs Defatted Insect Protein Meal

The most important product distinction is whether the fat has been removed.

Table: general comparison. Exact values depend on species and process; always check the supplier specification.

For concentrated feed protein, see defatted mealworm protein powder and insect protein powder ranges.

Mealworm Protein Powder

Mealworm powder is made from the larvae of the darkling beetle Tenebrio molitor. In its scientific opinion on dried yellow mealworm, EFSA describes the main components as protein, fat and fibre (chitin).

EFSA also points out that true protein is overestimated when the standard nitrogen-to-protein factor of 6.25 is used, because chitin contributes non-protein nitrogen. For buyers, this means a quoted crude protein figure and the amount of digestible protein are not the same thing. Ask how protein was calculated.

Mealworms are sold dried whole, ground into powder or defatted. Typical starting points are dried mealworms and dried mealworm powder.

Black Soldier Fly Protein Powder

Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae are the most widely used insect for feed protein. The larvae are dried, then commonly defatted to produce a meal, with the pressed fat sold as oil.

BSF larvae meal has regulatory recognition in North America. Pet Food Industry reported that by AAFCO's 2022 annual meeting, BSF larvae were approved for salmonid, poultry and swine feed and for adult dog food, and were the only insect product to have gone through the AAFCO ingredient definition process at that time. Check AAFCO's current Official Publication for the latest definition and conditions.

Product options include defatted black soldier fly protein meal, BSF protein powder and dried black soldier fly powder.

Cricket, Locust and Other Insect Powders

Whole-cricket powder is the form most often sold to consumers, including in protein bars and sports nutrition products. Migratory locust and lesser mealworm powders are also marketed for food use where authorised. Silkworm pupae and other species are processed in some Asian markets, but regulatory status varies widely and should be confirmed locally.

● Evidence noteEvidence on how insect protein compares with whey or soy for athletic performance is still limited, so avoid performance claims unless supported by specific studies and permitted by local labelling rules.

Where Insect Protein Powders Are Used

For feed manufacturers, insects are attractive because poultry and fish naturally consume insects, and because they offer an alternative to marine and soy protein. Inclusion rates and results depend on species, processing and diet formulation, so run trials before committing to volume.

Regulatory Status in the EU and North America

European Union, feed. Insect PAP was authorised for aquaculture feed in 2017. Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1372 extended this to poultry and pig feed, which IPIFF said opened markets representing about 65% of EU compound feed production. Ruminant feed remains restricted under the wider PAP rules.

European Union, food. Insects used in food fall under the Novel Food Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA has issued opinions on frozen and dried forms of yellow mealworm, and EU authorisations exist for several species. Check the current Union list of novel foods before launching a product.

United States and Canada. AAFCO and the FDA have accepted BSF larvae definitions for specific animal species, and the CFIA has assessed BSF larvae as a novel feed ingredient in Canada. Rules differ by animal species and product form.

● CautionRegulations change. Treat this section as background and confirm the current position with the competent authority in your destination market before import.

Safety, Allergens and Quality Control

Allergens. EFSA's opinions note that consuming yellow mealworm may cause primary sensitisation and allergic reactions, including in people allergic to crustaceans and house dust mites. Food products need clear allergen labelling.

Contaminants. Heavy metals, mycotoxins and other contaminants depend on what the insects were fed, so substrate control is part of product safety.

Typical quality parameters to request

Buyer Checklist for Insect Protein Powder

✓ Species and life stage are stated on the specification.

✓ Whole or defatted is clear, with fat and protein guarantees.

✓ Certificate of analysis is available for each batch.

✓ Insect feed substrate is declared and controlled.

✓ Destination approval for your target animal or food category is confirmed.

✓ Packaging and shelf-life suit your storage and transport conditions.

✓ Samples and trial data are provided before volume orders.

FAQ

Q. What insects are used to make protein powder?The most common are yellow mealworm, black soldier fly larvae, house cricket, lesser mealworm and migratory locust. Mealworm and BSF larvae dominate feed and pet food, while crickets are most common in consumer foods.

Q. Is insect protein powder safe to eat?EFSA has found no safety concerns for dried yellow mealworm when it meets specifications, but flagged allergy risk, especially for people allergic to crustaceans or dust mites. Safety also depends on the insect feed and processing hygiene.

Q. What is the difference between mealworm powder and BSF protein powder?They come from different species. Mealworm powder is often sold whole and used in food and feed, while BSF powder is usually a defatted meal used in aquafeed, poultry and pet food.

Q. Can insect protein replace fishmeal?It can replace part of the fishmeal protein in some diets, notably aquafeed. The achievable inclusion rate depends on species, processing and formulation, so it should be confirmed by feeding trials rather than assumed.

Q. Is insect protein allowed in animal feed?In the EU, insect PAP is permitted in aquaculture, poultry and pig feed under the rules described above. In the US, AAFCO has defined BSF larvae for several animal categories. Always verify current rules for your market.

References

1. EFSA NDA Panel. Safety of dried yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA Journal 2021;19:e06343. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7805300/

2. EFSA NDA Panel. Safety of frozen and dried forms of whole yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. https://efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/9155

3. Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1372 of 17 August 2021, Official Journal of the European Union L 295. EUR-Lex

4. IPIFF. The European Union authorises insect proteins in poultry and pig feed (press release, 18 August 2021). https://ipiff.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/18-08-2021-PR-insect-PAPs.pdf

5. Pet Food Industry. What's new from AAFCO? (2022 annual meeting summary). https://www.petfoodindustry.com/news-newsletters/pet-food-news/article/15469123/whats-new-from-aafco

6. All About Feed. Canadian firm approved to use insects for feed (CFIA novel feed assessment; AAFCO and FDA definition for salmonid feed). https://www.allaboutfeed.net/all-about/new-proteins/canadian-firm-approved-to-use-insects-for-feed/