A quest for insects along the trail of the ‘Game of Thrones’
Despite its dragons, dire wolves and white walkers, the Game of Thrones world isn’t quite as make-believe as it may seem. In fact, its capital, King’s Landing, is almost entirely filmed in the very real—and very beautiful—city of Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Well, I happen to have visited Dubrovnik recently and while many people flock every summer to this wonderful city on a quest along the trail of the Game of Thrones, I happened to be there for another reason. Yes, for my ever growing love for insects. ❤
I was delighted to be invited to attend the 69th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) that was held in the Valamar Resort in Dubrovnik from the 27th to 31st of August, 2018. The EAAP happens to be one of the largest congresses of animal sciences in the world and has been for decades attracting approximately 1000 scientists and experts in the field of animal science from more than 50 countries. The meeting provided insights into the latest research results from many areas of animal science. Through many sessions, plenary meeting, a poster and an exhibition presentations, and discussions about scientific achievements in the European and world livestock production, the meeting was a unique opportunity to meet scientists and industry representatives and to acquire new knowledge and to exchange experience.
I -in particular- took part and presented a talk on the influence of temperature and waste type on the survival and development of black soldier fly in the one-day symposium on “Insects for Feed”. The symposium was organized by the new study commission on Insects of the European Federation of Animal Science which is currently chaired and lead by Dr. Teun Veldkamp of Wageningen Livestock Research. The symposium included two sessions ‘Cost effective insect production and high quality insects for feed’ and ‘Safety, regulatory issues and effects of insects in animal feed’. Researchers shared their experiences on the automation and upscaling of pilot plant production facilities, rearing substrates and most suitable insects species for food and feed purposes as well as safety and regulations.
There was also a time to get to meet each other at the side events that the local Croatian organizing committee prepared for us, like a fancy dinner in a 15th century old fort and much more.
