Genomics and effective trait candidates of edible insects

The farming of insects for food has many advantages, since insects are readily available, can be grown in small areas, are efficient at the conversion of food to biomass, and have a minimal contribution to environmental degradation. We review the prospects for farming insects using data obtained from next-generation genome-wide DNA sequencing to guide the selection of desirable traits. This approach is more efficient than traditional breeding processes and promises to facilitate the development of insect strains with phenotypes which make them desirable as food sources. We also review some of the potential problems associated with the mass production of insects and suggest some factors which must be taken into consideration as inbreeding depression, adaptability, and allergens. Insects are a cheap, easily available source of nutrients such as proteins and fats, and the efficient mass production of insect-based foods may help to ameliorate problems of the food supply.