Black soldier fly larvae are used to process organic waste and produce protein for animal feed, with billions reared globally and growing questions about whether their welfare is adequately considered in production systems.
Black soldier fly larvae welfare presents a lower probability of sentience concern than crickets or mealworms, given their simpler nervous system, but certainty is impossible. The larvae show avoidance responses to extreme conditions that may be nociceptive. Processing methods including shredding, high heat, and CO2 are applied without welfare consideration. The massive scale of production means even a small probability of welfare-relevant experience translates to a significant expected welfare impact. Research into larval nervous system complexity could clarify whether welfare interventions are warranted.