Recent from talks
Cockroach farming
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Cockroach farming
Cockroach farming is a specific type of insect farming that involves the breeding of cockroaches as livestock in controlled facilities. Such farming is a sizable industry in China, where large buildings are home to millions of insects. They can be raised as a food source for humans, as feed for non-human animals such as lizards, or sold to the pharmaceutical industry for use in medicine. The cockroaches are often killed in vats of boiling water before being dried, and, depending on their purpose, they may be crushed, ready for processing. Prospective farmers are able to obtain how-to kits to begin their farming venture, while larger companies are able to produce billions of cockroaches every year.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine industry and cosmetic companies are primary purchasers of the insect. Cockroaches are a cheap source of protein, and, like other insects, are proposed as an alternative to the meat industry. Cosmetic companies value the cellulose-like quality of cockroach wings.
Pharmaceutical companies are using cockroaches as research potential for new cures, including treatments for cancer and AIDS. The School of Pharmacy and Chemistry at the Dali University has published papers regarding the anti-carcinogenic properties of cockroaches. A potion made from cockroaches (Kangfuxin Ye) is taken by millions of people in China, where the local authorities claim they have "remarkable effects". According to a government report, "more than 40 million people have been cured" of a variety of ailments after being prescribed the potion. However, there is no scientific evidence of these claims.
The Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine in Bangalore, India — along with other institutions — are investigating the possibility of farming cockroaches for their milk. The Pacific beetle cockroach (Diploptera punctata) produces a crystal-like milk which is a potential "superfood".
The industry is booming in China, where dried cockroaches can sell for up to US$20 a pound. In 2013, it was estimated that there were around 100 cockroach farms in China. The growth in the industry coincides with public pressure to end other sorts of farming, particularly those which supply traditional Chinese cooking and the pharmaceutical industry. Environmental and humanitarian concerns make certain ingredients derived from animal products increasingly difficult to obtain.
The largest cockroach farm is near Xichang, Sichuan, southwestern China, where it breeds six billion cockroaches a year. Run by the Good Doctor Pharmaceutical Group, the company uses artificial intelligence systems to monitor the conditions in the farm. This includes keeping them in dimly-lit spaces at around 30 degrees Celsius.
The growth of the industry in China has been helped by the lack of government regulation, with companies free to begin in most suitable environments if they have a licence to breed bugs.
Cockroach farmers describe the insects as being "easy to raise and profitable". Cockroaches are omnivores and can feed on rotten vegetables, a readily available and cheap source of food. This allows farms to feed the livestock with the waste product of other industries such as potato and pumpkin peelings from local restaurants. Gathering the insects is also a relatively simple process; they can easily be vacuumed out of their nests, drowned in a vat of boiling water, and then dried in the sun.
Hub AI
Cockroach farming AI simulator
(@Cockroach farming_simulator)
Cockroach farming
Cockroach farming is a specific type of insect farming that involves the breeding of cockroaches as livestock in controlled facilities. Such farming is a sizable industry in China, where large buildings are home to millions of insects. They can be raised as a food source for humans, as feed for non-human animals such as lizards, or sold to the pharmaceutical industry for use in medicine. The cockroaches are often killed in vats of boiling water before being dried, and, depending on their purpose, they may be crushed, ready for processing. Prospective farmers are able to obtain how-to kits to begin their farming venture, while larger companies are able to produce billions of cockroaches every year.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine industry and cosmetic companies are primary purchasers of the insect. Cockroaches are a cheap source of protein, and, like other insects, are proposed as an alternative to the meat industry. Cosmetic companies value the cellulose-like quality of cockroach wings.
Pharmaceutical companies are using cockroaches as research potential for new cures, including treatments for cancer and AIDS. The School of Pharmacy and Chemistry at the Dali University has published papers regarding the anti-carcinogenic properties of cockroaches. A potion made from cockroaches (Kangfuxin Ye) is taken by millions of people in China, where the local authorities claim they have "remarkable effects". According to a government report, "more than 40 million people have been cured" of a variety of ailments after being prescribed the potion. However, there is no scientific evidence of these claims.
The Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine in Bangalore, India — along with other institutions — are investigating the possibility of farming cockroaches for their milk. The Pacific beetle cockroach (Diploptera punctata) produces a crystal-like milk which is a potential "superfood".
The industry is booming in China, where dried cockroaches can sell for up to US$20 a pound. In 2013, it was estimated that there were around 100 cockroach farms in China. The growth in the industry coincides with public pressure to end other sorts of farming, particularly those which supply traditional Chinese cooking and the pharmaceutical industry. Environmental and humanitarian concerns make certain ingredients derived from animal products increasingly difficult to obtain.
The largest cockroach farm is near Xichang, Sichuan, southwestern China, where it breeds six billion cockroaches a year. Run by the Good Doctor Pharmaceutical Group, the company uses artificial intelligence systems to monitor the conditions in the farm. This includes keeping them in dimly-lit spaces at around 30 degrees Celsius.
The growth of the industry in China has been helped by the lack of government regulation, with companies free to begin in most suitable environments if they have a licence to breed bugs.
Cockroach farmers describe the insects as being "easy to raise and profitable". Cockroaches are omnivores and can feed on rotten vegetables, a readily available and cheap source of food. This allows farms to feed the livestock with the waste product of other industries such as potato and pumpkin peelings from local restaurants. Gathering the insects is also a relatively simple process; they can easily be vacuumed out of their nests, drowned in a vat of boiling water, and then dried in the sun.
Recent media