EnviroFlight, a leading North American producer of sustainable insect-based ingredients, and Entocycle, a pioneering technology company in insect farming, are proud to announce the success of their recent collaboration.

The partnership, formed in late 2023, brought Entocycle's cutting-edge optical dosing solution, Entosight Neo, to EnviroFlight's Research and Development Center in Apex, North Carolina, for a series of advanced trials.

Entosight Neo uses advanced imaging technology and machine learning to count and dose black soldier fly (BSF) neonates with unprecedented accuracy. The system’s integration of data analytics also enables BSF operators to identify trends, predict outcomes, and make data-driven improvements to their production protocols and processes.

EnviroFlight’s research and engineering teams worked closely with Entocycle’s technical experts to install the system into their R&D facility and monitor its performance over several months. The trials evaluated key performance metrics, including neonate dosing accuracy, flow rate speed, and the larvae’s survivability post-inoculation.

EnviroFlight currently uses a mass-based solution to provide insects and feed in each crate. Mass-based dosing determines the target dosing weight by multiplying the average weight of a single neonate by the target number of neonates.

Entocycle’s optical dosing technology uses high-speed line cameras to count and dose each neonate to reach a specific target number per dose. The proprietary technology allows BSF producers to monitor neonate dosing in real time and optimise feedstock and larval densities to achieve the highest levels of feed conversion efficiencies.

The programme consisted of 24 doses across four trials, with each dosing either 10,000 or 30,000 neonates with three replicates per dose per trial. Entocycle’s solution consistently delivered the target number of neonates with a mean absolute percentage error of 4.52%. The neonate survival rates after five days were comparable to, or higher than, those in the control group, validating the Entosight Neo’s 95%+ dosing accuracy without affecting larvae survival rates.

“We recently trialled Entocycle’s optical dosing solution, Entosight Neo, and the results demonstrate a substantial improvement in dosing accuracy”, said Liz Koutsos, PhD, President,  EnviroFlight. “They’re also a great team to work with due to their technical expertise and willingness to consider our unique needs and operations. We’re looking forward to working with Entocycle in the future.”

“We’re delighted to work so closely with EnviroFlight, a company that shares our vision of scalable, sustainable, and efficient insect farming”, said Matt Simmonds, MD of Entocycle. “This collaboration has showcased how our technology can drive real value for the insect industry by validating the utilisation of automation, data collection and precision in the sector. Accuracy and precision at the beginning of the production process leads to consistency in quality and quantity, which is essential for off-take customers”.

Entocycle and EnviroFlight's collaboration is built on a shared commitment to sustainability. Insect farming, particularly the cultivation of BSF larvae, has garnered attention as a highly sustainable practice due to its ability to upcycle food waste into valuable protein and oil products. BSF’s low environmental footprint and its potential to reduce reliance on resource-intensive feed ingredients like soy and fishmeal make it a key solution in transitioning to a more sustainable global food system.