Insectta sees a big future from small insects

Singapore

IN THE years to come, semiconductors used in devices such as phones and computers, and protein and probiotics used in animal feed additives, could be made from the larvae of black soldier flies.

At least, that is what the team at Singapore-based Insectta is gunning for. Insectta is an urban insect farm here that rears the black soldier fly and turns its larvae into biomaterials, including one known as chitosan - a biodegradable polymer typically derived from crustacean shells. Its black soldier fly chitosan is already being used by research labs and renowned local cosmetic companies.