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Role of Artificial Diets in Mass Production of Insects

Artificial insect diets are man-made food sources designed specifically for insects. Constituents like carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and substrate form the basis of these diets, providing a balanced nutritional profile for insect development. Artificial diets are essential in insect rearing, providing a practical alternative to natural host rearing methods. They effectively address limitations associated with natural hosts, such as timeconsuming processes, labor-intensive requirements, seasonal dependencies, and increased mortality rates during handling. Nutrient levels in artificial diets can be adjusted to optimize insect performance. Artificial diets are vital in pest management, aiding in the rearing of natural enemies, producing attractants and pheromones, and implementing techniques like the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). Research on developing diverse and cost-effective artificial diets is crucial. This will not only improve our understanding of insect biology but also lead to more effective pest management and a sustainable future for mass insect production.