AI-assisted breeding of the black soldier fly: Sustainable source of protein

Closed Biocycle Better Protein Supply Through AI-Supported Insect Breeding

2026-02-26 Source: | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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The "FLY4FOOD" research project is developing an AI-supported, digital platform to optimize the breeding of the black soldier fly, which is intended to serve as a sustainable source of protein and biomass.

This is what the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) looks like. The first impression is of a common two-winged insect. But appearances are deceptive, because its larvae are true protein reactors, whose industriousness is now to be exploited for food ...(Image: Fly Friends) — This is what the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) looks like. The first impression is of a common two-winged insect. But appearances are deceptive, because its larvae are true protein reactors, whose industriousness is now to be exploited for food ...
(Image: Fly Friends)

The global demand for sustainable protein sources is growing rapidly, they say. At the same time, enormous quantities of organic waste would remain unused. The research project mentioned above is tackling precisely this challenge! With a digital, AI-supported (AI = artificial intelligence) option for optimizing the breeding of the black soldier fly (BSF), researchers now want to establish a resource-efficient, scalable and climate-friendly protein production of the future. With the help of sensor technology, IoT, digital twins and predictive models, breeding conditions and feed conversion would be precisely controlled. Environmental conditions, feed mixtures and production processes could thus be precisely manipulated to stabilize the breeding of BSF larvae. The BSF larvae can convert organic waste into high-quality proteins, fats and bio-based raw materials that can be used for food, animal feed and industrial applications. The August Wilhelm Scheer Institute (AWS) is involved in the project.

Life is Made Easier for the Tiny Bioreactors

The institute is taking on the central role of digitalization and AI optimization as part of the project. This includes the development of a scalable system architecture, the development and integration of predictive AI models, real-time monitoring using IoT sensors and the implementation of a digital twin to simulate and control breeding conditions. These technical and digital building blocks therefore form the basis for data-driven insect production geared towards precision farming, which will then also be scalable worldwide. Alongside the technological development, the researchers from Saarbrücken are also compiling extensive data sets on BSF biology and the breeding dynamics of the flies. They are also developing non-invasive analysis methods for predicting quality and evaluating system components in real pilot environments. An ecological life cycle analysis (LCA) also evaluates the sustainability effects of the optimized production process.

("FLY4FOOD" is funded as part of the Bioeconomy International program of the German Federal Ministry of Research and Technology. Partners in the project include Khon Kaen University, Suranaree University of Technology and Betragro Ltd.)

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Date: 08.12.2025

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