In the last four years, my life has revolved around insects. I visited an insect farm for the first time in freshman year, experiencing what it means to live as farmers who raise crickets instead of traditional livestock. Moving on, I found and took the opportunity to intern at an edible insect startup–Bugsking (http://www.bugsking.co.kr/)–to experiment on their sustainable value. I explored real-world applications of edible insects–particularly mealworm beetles–to tackle climate change through unique solutions. I was also able to participate in regular meetings alongside professionals from external environmental organizations, discussing the role and application of edible insects. Having these experiences, my fight against the traditional disgust for insects was an enlightening experience. The result? Many are still unconvinced of their sustainable beauty. Yet, by sharing this article, I hope that I can change such cursory perceptions. 

Researching insects has taught me to look beyond superficial appearances. Whether it’s their minimal resource use or ability to recycle waste, insects have proved to be a competent, sustainable alternative to conventional solutions. My experiences of working with farmers raising crickets and food scientists developing edible mealworm products have helped me address environmental challenges with creativity. 

With my previous mentors continuously challenging me to perceive problems from a myriad of angles, I found that the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) was another prominent angle I could tackle climate change. In their larvae phase, they have the invaluable capacity of being able to rapidly degrade organic biowaste that is produced by markets, food industries, and restaurants. As they consume organic waste, they produce digestates that can serve as effective organic fertilizers in crop production. A mature larva is also a valuable source of protein, substituting traditional sources like fish, poultry, and pigs. Finally, an oil derived from these larvae has proven to be useful in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Altogether, H. illucens promises to be a competent, sustainable alternative to traditional products. They will reduce the release of greenhouse gases, particularly methane, with positive environmental consequences.

The H. illucens is just an example of numerous insects that have proven to be environmentally useful. Through this article, I hope that the perfunctory view on insects can be mitigated. While my insect crusade has already begun, I will continue exploring the hidden values behind insects, helping everyone realize that the solution to global environmental concerns may just be crawling right beneath our feet.