PROJ/IPV/ID&I/013
FZ – Drone Brood Flour: Innovative product and hive protection

The production of insects has been playing an increasingly important role in obtaining alternative sources of protein for animal and human feeding. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recognizes the use of insects as a sustainable alternative to animal production and recommends the use of insects as a source of nutrients for animals and humans since 2010. In Portugal, the insect production sector has been growing, and in addition to traditional beekeeping, there have been some initiatives to produce insects for animal and human consumption, using cricket or mealworm beetle. Currently, bee and beekeeping survival depends critically on the proper management of the diseases that affect it, in particular varroosis, an endemic disease in Portugal that causes serious economic damage. Although in recent years this disease has been subject to official control, using chemical control methods, there are also natural protection methods that can be used and that present very satisfactory results, as is the case of the technique of drone brood removal. This technique consists in the placement of frames with molded wax with drone alveoli in the nest, preferred targets of the mite and its removal when the alveoli are operculated. Drone brood removed by this technique have so far no use, but can be harvested for food and constitute another source of income for the hive. One way to harness the brood larvae will be through the production of flour with high protein content of animal origin, rich in fibers and micronutrients such as copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and zinc that can be used in the manufacture of bread, similar to what is already done with cricket or mealworm beetle. In addition to the technical factors that can jeopardize this innovation, both in the production of bee drones and in their processing and use, it is important to understand the behavior of consumers in relation to the consumption of insects and their products, and their willingness to pay, since in Portugal, this sector is almost non- existent and the consumption of insects for human consumption is not part of the Mediterranean diet. The 'FZ – Drone Brood Flour: Innovative product and hive protection' project has the following objectives: (1) contribute to reducing the damage caused by varrosis and the use of veterinary pesticides; (2) harnessing and enhancing feeding grounds, increasing the yield of the beekeeping activity and providing a set of food products based on insect meal rich in animal protein; (3) study consumer behavior in relation to consumption of insects and derived products and to evaluate the benefits to the environment and public health by estimating their willingness to pay for these products.