Effects of straw structure and component on feeding efficiency of yellow mealworm for insect protein production

[Display omitted] •Straw species significantly impact yellow mealworm (YMW) feeding efficiency.•Straw with low hardness and crystallinity show high chewability and larvae ingestion.•YMW feeding rate positively correlated with hemicellulose and crude protein content.•Physicochemical properties of straw structure impact intestinal microorganisms. Elucidating the influence of straw structure and component on the feeding efficacy of yellow mealworm is pivotal for improving insect protein production from straw. This research utilized four distinct types of straws—water hyacinth straw (WHS), corn straw (CS), rape straw (RAS), and rice straw (RIS)—as the sole substrate for larvae. Results indicated that the straw utilization rate and fresh larval weight gain rate followed the order of WHS > CS > RAS > RIS. Analysis of straw structural characteristics demonstrated that decreasing straw hardness and cellulose crystallinity, while enhancing straw chewability, facilitated the ingestion of larvae. Feeding efficiency of yellow mealworm was positively correlated with the hemicellulose and crude protein content, and inversely correlated with lignin content in the straw. Additionally, the structural characteristics and components of straw significantly influenced the composition of the gut microbiota. These results offer valuable insights for optimizing yellow mealworm feeding on straw.