Mealworms for the space menu

Close-up of edible mealworms.

Worms and other bugs are an excellent source of high protein, fatty acids, iron, zinc and B vitamins, with values often comparable to or higher than those of meat, fish and legumes.

For space research, the house cricket and the yellow mealworm have been among the most used species. Both species were authorised by the European Food Safety Authority for sale and human consumption in 2023.