i am interested in the addition of insect frass to the development of an organic soil mix but my thoughts have strayed to the possible benefits of dried mealworms [per lb 53% protein, 28% fat, 6% fibre ]. Do any of my esteemed organic colleagues reading have any experience or further thoughts on it's use as a slow release nutrient source perhaps...respect.
Dried mealworm [Tenebrio molitor]..
- Thread starter bulldog1952
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Hi again, just had a browse round the net and it appears that the chitin exoskeletons of the mealworm have a slow release N.P.K. element of 3.2.5 and the plant seems to 'detect' the presence of insects in the breakdown process and it stimulates a natural defence against potential attack from said insects!....i will include some in my next organic mix and hopefully have another tool in my battle with 'fungus gnat' larvae attack......
I mix insect frass in my soil -- Meal Worm-- , and use it as a drench , it is part of my soil building program .The one I use has 10 % Chitin 
Abstract
Frass from the insect Tenebrio molitor can be applied as an organic fertilizer due to its nutritional content. In this study insects were fed on different types of food producing excrement with different compositions. This allowed us to compare the potential effect of the excrement on plant growth promotion and to test its ability to increase tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought, excess water and salinity. The best results were obtained when the insects were fed a diet low in fat and starch content. Moreover, a microbiological study using the excrement produced showed that the presence of microorganisms improved plant growth parameters, in the absence or presence of stress conditions. The analysis of the microbiome through massive parallel sequencing, as well as the analysis of the capacity of several microbial isolates to promote plant growth, showed that several microorganisms present in the excrement are plant growth promoters (PGPs). Our findings indicate that the frass produced by these insects, due to its nutritional content and associated microbiota, can be potentially used as a biofertilizer in organic farming. However, this potential dramatically varies according to the insect's diet. Further analyses should be performed to set the optimal time and amount of application for the different aimed plants.
Abstract
Frass from the insect Tenebrio molitor can be applied as an organic fertilizer due to its nutritional content. In this study insects were fed on different types of food producing excrement with different compositions. This allowed us to compare the potential effect of the excrement on plant growth promotion and to test its ability to increase tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought, excess water and salinity. The best results were obtained when the insects were fed a diet low in fat and starch content. Moreover, a microbiological study using the excrement produced showed that the presence of microorganisms improved plant growth parameters, in the absence or presence of stress conditions. The analysis of the microbiome through massive parallel sequencing, as well as the analysis of the capacity of several microbial isolates to promote plant growth, showed that several microorganisms present in the excrement are plant growth promoters (PGPs). Our findings indicate that the frass produced by these insects, due to its nutritional content and associated microbiota, can be potentially used as a biofertilizer in organic farming. However, this potential dramatically varies according to the insect's diet. Further analyses should be performed to set the optimal time and amount of application for the different aimed plants.
thank you Hecno.....think i may have to add a mealworm farm to my earthworm farm thank you for the article...respect.
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