Hi,

Its depend on, it is defferent for all of insect species,as plant variety, because some insect fed on special plant variety.

Apart plant host, temperature and humidity, in my researches I consider:

1- Day-night cycle. Some species need a 0D:24N, others need 18D:6N, others an other ratio.

2- the soil physical, chemical and biological caracteristics for insects laying in soil.

3- microbiome, specially of the female.

If you used the word "nest" insteed of "cage":

4- best size and shape of the cage: some species "prefer" hight cages, other more flate ones. some "prefer" small cages whyle others big cages

5- this point is directly connected to the precedent: the " ociability" of the insect species. For example some insects that are not considered as "social" need to be reared in big packs (for example larvae BSF).

6- think about the ecological needs that may be different in different development stages (instars, pupae, adults and adults in laying phase).

These are some points - there are others

you are wellcome Jackson

The environment plays an important role in rearing edible insects and insect production.

Some environmental parameters considered are:

1. Life cycle assessment (LCA): due to the respiration and metabolism of insects and their feces, CO2, CH4, N2O, and NH3 can be emitted.

Quantify the direct and indirect emission levels for each insect species studied, etc. This LCA enable comparisons of insect production systems with benchmarks...

2. Feed conversion efficiency: High efficiency requires optimal diets and therefore knowledge of the nutritional requirements of insect species needs to be established. Furthermore, much like in conventional farming, genetic selection can further help to create efficient strains. several insect species accumulate protein very efficiently (for e.g. yellow mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, Argentinean cockroaches,...).

3. Reducing organic waste: A number of species can successfully be grown on organic side streams, converting low-value organic by-products into high-value proteins.

I wish to add

- sensibility to viruses and bacteria infection. Often relied to density. Some viruses will not only destroyed your actual breeding but will infect the all area that will make your installation definitively unsusable. (see the crisis that touched Acheta industry some years ago)

- some other parameters are important such as gregarism, number of egg laying, growing time, food availability (espacially in case of need of fresh food, ...

You're welcome dear Jackson Ishara