Best Practice for Farmed Insect Welfare: Lessons from Black Soldier Flies

Abstract There is a growing concern for the welfare of farmed insects due to the recognition of their probable sentience and their increasing use. Ensuring good welfare requires implementing best practice in welfare assessment and in developing evidence-based welfare guidelines for housing and husbandry. This case study on black soldier flies ( Hermetia illucens ) examines some potential methods for both, highlighting current knowledge gaps and the most urgent research priorities for insect welfare. Information © The Authors 2025