Get The Bug – Details, episodes & analysis

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Get The Bug

Umberto Diecinove

Science

Society & Culture

Frequency: 1 episode/27d. Total Eps: 42

I’m Umberto Diecinove, I am a documentary photographer and a filmmaker. And – for a while now – I’ve been investigating the potential role of insects in the solution of some of the global challenges we’re currently facing.

To do this, I’ve been traveling around the world, taking photographs and talking to world experts, visionary entrepreneurs, activists and people working in the field.

Welcome to Get the Bug Podcast, where you can listen to the conversations I recorded during my journey.

Farming insects could reduce the agriculture need for land and overfishing in the oceans, but also lower greenhouse emissions and help smallholder farmers, in developing economies, to depend less on expensive imported feed.

So… what if insects are the next game changers?

Join me for this insightful conversation on the potential of insects to make the world a better place, and the lessons we can learn from nature to build a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Check out www.gtbpodcast.com for more details.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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#33 Insects to Feed the World: Conference Insights and Ecological Systems.

Season 3 · Episode 33

Thursday, April 16, 2026 • Duration 21:33

In this episode, you will hear from Laura Gasco from the University of Torino, one of the organizers of the Insects to Feed the World conference (June 9–12, 2026, in Torino, Italy), and Jerome Casas, professor of ecology at the University of Tours in France and recipient of the Humboldt Prize for lifetime achievement.

We discussed the upcoming IFW26 conference, where Laura introduced invited speakers such as Florencia Meyer, Daniela Peguero, and Dennis Oonincx, highlighting their work on insect health, circular economy applications in low- and middle-income countries, and insect nutrition. She also shared an overview of the program, including sessions on genetics, production systems, sustainability, and applications within food and feed systems.

The episode then broadens its perspective through excerpts from a conversation with Jerome Casas, focusing on the ecological role of insects across systems. He discusses insects as key actors in ecosystem processes and reflects on how their perception has evolved over time. This shift is connected to broader global challenges, including food production, biodiversity, and climate change, where insects can contribute to more integrated and adaptive approaches.

My name is Umberto Diecinove, I am a documentary photographer and I am currently leading a project titled I N S C T S which explores the potential role of insects in addressing environmental and social challenges. I’m doing it traveling, photographing research centres, farms, communities and companies all over the world and engaging with world experts, visionary entrepreneurs, activists and people working in the field. I do believe insects could be the next game changer.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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#32 Black Soldier Fly Farming in Africa: Field Experiences and Practical Implementation, with Daniela Peguero.

Season 3 · Episode 32

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 • Duration 24:03

In this episode, you will listen to Daniela Peguero, researcher at Eawag’s Department of Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development (SANDEC), working on the implementation of black soldier fly farming in several African countries through projects such as BUGS Africa and SWIFT (Sustainable Waste-based Insect Farming Technologies).

We discussed practical field experiences from Uganda and Malawi, where black soldier fly larvae are used as a locally adapted protein source for livestock. Daniela explained how substrate availability — from pig manure to hotel food waste and invasive water hyacinth — influences the bioconversion process and operational decisions.

Among the topics we covered were feed costs, faster chicken growth when larvae partially replace imported feed, methane emissions linked to open dumping, and the importance of adapting insect farming systems to real environmental conditions.

Daniela also introduced the open-access Simba approach, developed to support small-scale farmers, and described the WhatsApp community created to facilitate peer-to-peer troubleshooting, matchmaking, and knowledge exchange across low- and middle-income contexts.

The conversation also touches on the upcoming Insects To Feed The World conference, where a dedicated session will focus on black soldier fly implementation in these regions.

My name is Umberto Diecinove. I am a documentary photographer and I am currently leading a project titled I N S C T S, which explores the potential role of insects in addressing environmental and social challenges. I do this by traveling and photographing research centers, farms, communities, and companies around the world, engaging with researchers and practitioners working in the field. I believe insects could represent an important part of future food and agricultural systems.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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#31 Welfare and Trust in Insect Farming, with Meghan Barrett.

Season 3 · Episode 31

Thursday, January 8, 2026 • Duration 15:55

In this episode, you will hear from Meghan Barrett, Assistant Professor of Biology at Indiana University Indianapolisand Founding Director of the Insect Welfare Research Society, together with Laura Gasco from the University of Torino.

We discuss what animal welfare means from a scientific perspective and why welfare should not be confused with productivity — a crucial issue as insect farming continues to scale. Meghan explains how welfare science evaluates animals through physiological, behavioral, and environmental indicators, and why individual experience matters.

The conversation explores concrete examples, including the use of insects in poultry feed, and examines how welfare considerations intersect with public trust and the “social license to operate.” We also look at emerging data on public perceptions of insect welfare and why transparency and ethical credibility are essential for the long-term development of the insect farming sector.

Laura Gasco introduces the next edition of Insects to Feed the World, taking place in Torino from June 9th to 12th, and renews the call for abstracts, open until January 23rd.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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#30 AI, Breeding, and the Optimization of Insect Farming, with Adi Abada and Idan Aliagor.

Season 3 · Episode 30

Monday, December 1, 2025 • Duration 16:03

In this episode, you will hear from Adi Abada and Idan Aliagor, both from FreezeM.

We discussed the challenges that first-generation insect farming companies faced — mainly, having to build everything from scratch. As Idan explained, trying to manage the entire value chain at once made it extremely difficult to optimize any individual segment. Today, the rise of specialized players like FreezeM signals a maturing market, where segmentation is finally taking place, much like in other established industries.

The central themes of our conversation were the cost and variability of substrates and breeding optimization.

Idan described how data-driven methodologies and AI-based prediction tools can help companies evaluate new waste mixes before committing to trials, opening the door to more diverse, lower-cost inputs.

In his own words:

“The real deal will be to handle waste streams that might be seasonal or imperfect but are financially sustainable.”

Since FreezeM works with many clients globally, the team has a unique perspective on the industry. We therefore discussed genetic strains, substrate portfolios, the early industry’s overly optimistic expectations — and the possibility of a coming renaissance.

As Adi concludes:

“You need to be excited, then disappointed — and from there, you can grow.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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#29 Edible Insects: What’s Fact, What’s Fiction? With Arnold Van Huis.

Season 3 · Episode 29

Monday, November 24, 2025 • Duration 25:06

In this episode, you will hear from Arnold van Huis, emeritus professor at Wageningen University and one of the world’s leading pioneers in the edible-insect sector, and Laura Gasco from the University of Torino, who will coordinate the Insects to Feed the World conference (June 9–12, 2026, in Torino).

We discussed common misconceptions and doubts surrounding edible insects, addressing legitimate questions while distinguishing them from misinformation or even intentional distortions. Among the topics we covered were food safety, chitin, the carbon footprint of insect farming, and potential environmental risks. Professor Van Huis also shared his views on the growing potential of insect farming today and the need for supportive public policies and effective science communication.

Laura added a couple of key points to the conversation:

“Insects are considered farmed animals, and because of that, they can only be fed with materials listed in the Catalogue of Feed Materials under Regulation (EU) 2022/1104. But outside Europe the rules are different, and this means the sector can evolve much more sustainably. I’m convinced that in Europe former products containing meat and fish, or catering waste, could be valuable and safe substrates, and research can play a key role in this process.”

She also introduced us to the next edition of Insects to Feed the World. The venue will be the Lingotto Conference Center in Torino, and the call for abstracts is already open, with a deadline of January 23rd. All information is available on the conference website: https://www.ifw2026.org.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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#28 Insect Farming in Asia: Challenges, Growth, and Opportunities, with Cameron Richards.

Season 3 · Episode 28

Tuesday, September 30, 2025 • Duration 18:32

In this episode, you will hear from Cameron Richards, president of AFFIA, the Asian Food and Feed Insect Association, and senior manager at Veolia in the R&D innovations team.

We talked about the current state of insect farming in Asia, with a special focus on findings from AFFIA’s ongoing survey, which is mapping production capacities, business models, and market dynamics across the region. As he said, while companies often advertise their capacities to attract investors, the survey is shedding light on the more realistic picture of the sector.

AFFIA supports its members by facilitating networking, collaborations, and funding opportunities:

“We are building a community around insects for food and feed in Asia” Cameron said. “Supporting collaboration, and helping companies secure funding to grow sustainably.”

Cameron also discussed the potential of specialization, noting that some companies are beginning to focus on specific parts of the production chain, such as egg production or feed processing, a trend that mirrors other industries and could accelerate sector growth.

Finally, we explored the emerging topic of frass — insect residuals used as fertilizers. A growing opportunity, particularly in Asia, where local markets and agricultural demand make it easier to sell and experiment with new applications.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#27 From Waste to Flavor: How Insects Can Improve Fish Farming – with Hidayah Taufek.

Season 3 · Episode 27

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 • Duration 15:33

In this episode, you will hear from Hidaya Taufek, senior lecturer in animal nutrition and feed technology at the University of Malaya.

With Hidaya, we discussed insect farming as an inclusive activity for small farmers and students, the valorization of palm oil waste, the challenges posed by the absence of regulations on substrates, and even blind taste tests that revealed surprising flavors in fish fed with insect meal.

For the past decade, Hidaya has been studying insects as alternative protein sources in aquaculture. Current feed for fish often contains around 30% fishmeal, an unsustainable ingredient linked to overfishing and competition with human food resources like soy and corn. Hidaya explained that their research shows fishmeal use can be reduced by up to 50% when replaced with insect protein, without compromising growth or health. In fact, by supplementing diets with black soldier fly meal and small amounts of seaweed, the fish developed a distinct and appealing flavor profile, reminiscent of the briny taste of algae.

Beyond the lab, Hidaya works closely with local communities. Farmers often visit her university to learn how to rear black soldier flies at small scale, using them both to manage waste and to provide additional protein for their animals.

"It’s not just about producing alternative protein — it’s also about valorizing waste and empowering communities," she explains.

At the same time, Hidaya leads a social enterprise called Insective Lab, which involves underprivileged students and combines insect farming with scientific research, community engagement, and education.

Hidaya also points out that in Southeast Asia, large-scale insect production is often tied to palm oil waste, a resource unavailable to small farmers who must rely instead on food waste. This presents challenges, since nutritional quality can vary, and without existing regulations it is up to each farmer to carefully choose substrates that can be used safely.

We are facing enviromental and social challenges. I decided to explore how insects can address global issues through local solutions.

#26 On Sustainable Futures For Food, With Oliver Schlüter.

Season 3 · Episode 26

Thursday, March 20, 2025 • Duration 17:07

In this episode, you will hear from Oliver Schlüter, the spokesperson for the Healthy Foods program area at the ATB, the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy.

We talked about the potential role of insect farming and insect biotechnology in connecting and leading the way in research and discussions about alternative proteins and new food systems.

Our conversation stemmed from INSECTSplus, the event hosted by the German Institute of Food Technologies this May, from May 12th to 14th, and co-created by the ATB, which will host the next edition.

Oliver highlighted that PLUS stands for plant-based, lab-based, unicellular, and sea-based biomass. Insects are the key to connecting these different organisms, contributing to circularity and sustainability in biomass production. He emphasized that while edible insects have made significant progress in research and acceptance over the past decade, there are still challenges. Initially, there was little knowledge of edible insects, and no legal framework existed for their use. Today, however, several insect species are approved for human consumption in Europe, and companies have developed expertise in insect processing.

"It’s essential to create a platform for exchanging knowledge and solutions across disciplines," Oliver explained. "Researchers from different fields can learn from each other’s experiences and overcome the hurdles they face together."

He went on to explain that ATB focuses on several program areas, including diversified crop production, individualized livestock farming, and healthy foods. He is the spokesperson for the Healthy Foods program area, where researchers investigate edible insects, as well as macroalgae, and plant-based foods. Additionally, they work on multifunctional biomaterials and integrated residual management, focusing on utilizing side streams from production processes to generate biogas or biochar, which can be used in agricultural fields. Oliver emphasized the importance of integrating these technologies into new bioresource processing systems to promote sustainability in the food and biomass industries.

Hosted on Acast. See for more information.

#25 Beyond Composting & Biogas: Insects in Organic Waste Management, with Sergiy Smetana.

Season 3 · Episode 25

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Duration 16:49

In this episode you will listen to the conversation I recorded with Sergiy Smetana, Head of the Food Data Group at the German Institute of Food Technologies.

We talked about organic waste, how to define it and how it is treated, and the role of insect farming in all of this.

All of these topics, and many many more, will be discussed at INSECTSplus, the event hosted by the same German Institute of Food Technologies, which will celebrate its kick-off from May 12th to 14th.

Sergiy discussed the complexity of food waste, emphasizing that there is no clear legal or scientific definition for it. He explained that food waste is often classified as biomass or discarded materials, and once a product is thrown away, it legally becomes waste, even if it remains in its original, untouched packaging. However, if biomass is repurposed in a hygienic and environmentally safe manner, it is not considered waste. And this opens up opportunities for utilizing discarded materials sustainably, reducing waste and creating new production models.

He outlined common food waste treatment methods, starting with composting. While beneficial, composting generates emissions and often requires transportation, adding to environmental impacts. Another widely used method is anaerobic digestion, where food waste is mixed with other organic materials and processed in biogas plants to produce methane, which is then burned for energy. However, this method generates large amounts of digestate, which can lead to nitrogen overconcentration in agricultural soils, posing environmental challenges.

Transitioning to insect-based waste treatment, Sergiy explained that insects, particularly black soldier flies, can bioconvert organic matter into valuable byproducts.

Insects not only process waste but also improve soil properties through their frass, which acts as a soil enhancer rather than just a fertilizer.

Regarding the present and future of edible insect research at the German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL), Sergiy described how their work with insects was exploratory—assessing their potential and providing recommendations to companies. Over time, DIL established a small research facility for producing insect biomass, which was used in projects such as feeding poultry.

#24 A Journey Through Sustainability, with Insects, Plus... – Ft. Volker Heinz.

Season 3 · Episode 24

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 • Duration 20:51

In this episode, you will hear from a very special guest: Volker Heinz, the director of the German Institute of Food Technologies.

We discussed circularity in the food system, CO2 and nitrogen cycles, new fields, trials and errors, and alternative proteins.

Dr. Heinz's journey into the world of insect-based protein began 15 years ago during a visit to the pet food industry. He recalled that during a discussion about protein sources, his interlocutor mentioned the inevitability of insect consumption in Europe.

"At first, I thought he was crazy," Dr. Heinz admitted. However, during his three-hour drive back to the institute, he began contemplating the role of circularity in food systems.

As an engineer, Dr. Heinz decided to establish an insect farm, driven by the belief that nothing was impossible. During this phase, he invited a leading FAO expert on insect farming, who shared insights and examples from his global research. But the expert was skeptical. "Young boy," he said, "what you are planning is like flying to the moon. Many have tried and failed." Despite this warning, Dr. Heinz remained determined. He saw an opportunity to revolutionize the industry by developing a continuous system.

At the DIL (Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik), Dr. Heinz and his team experimented extensively, creating an environment optimized for insect reproduction, including controlled light, wind, temperature, and humidity. It took several setbacks and considerations of abandoning the project before they finally succeeded.

"I still expect problems to come because it is indeed like a flight to the moon—but they made it, and we hope to succeed as well."

Discussing sustainability, Dr. Heinz highlighted the significance of nitrogen and carbon cycles in global food production. "We rarely read about the nitrogen cycle, but it is of similar importance to the carbon cycle, particularly with 8 billion people on the planet." He explained that while nitrogen is essential for protein formation, only 20% of it is effectively recycled back into the atmosphere, with the remainder causing environmental harm.

Get The Bug – Details, episodes & analysis

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