Adult black soldier fly meal (imago, <i>Hermetia illucens</i> ) as replacement for fish meal in diets for Pacific Whiteleg shrimp ( <i>Penaeus vannamei</i> )

Abstract Adult black soldier flies (imagines, Hermetia illucens ) are a by‐product of large‐scale insect larvae production. The suitability of this novel sidestream as a protein source in diets for juvenile Whiteleg shrimp ( Penaeus vannamei , initial weight 5–6 g) was investigated in controlled feeding experiments in recirculating aquaculture systems. Three experimental diets, in which 50% (I50), 75% (I75), and 100% (I100) of the fish meal contents were replaced by defatted imago meal (IM), were tested in an acceptability and a growth trial. The acceptability of all IM‐containing diets was reduced, leading to significantly lower apparent feed intake of the I75 and I100 diets during the growth experiment ( p = 0.001). Shrimp growth was reduced in all IM‐containing diets ( p = 0.0005). IM‐containing diets caused lower dry matter contents in shrimp muscle ( p = 0.0136) and lower lipid contents in midgut glands ( p = 0.0169). Survival, digestive enzyme activities, and hemolymph parameters were not affected by the diet, implying no adverse effects of IM on general shrimp health. More efficient defatting of IM, adequate balancing of n‐3 fatty acids, and addition of attractants are suggested to improve the nutritional quality and use of imago meal as shrimp feed.