Method, device, and system for use with insect larvae

1. A system for tending larvae and rearing juvenile larvae to mature larvae comprising:

a harvest receptacle configured to receive mature larvae;

a collection chute configured to transfer mature larvae to the harvest receptacle;

at least one larvae tray for the containment and separation of juvenile larvae from frass, the larvae tray comprising:

a bottom formed by a porous screen material adapted to support the larvae in a growth region and allow at least a portion of the frass to pass through the bottom;

an uncovered top adapted to receive juvenile larvae and food; and

a terminal edge separating the growth region from the collection chute;

wherein at least a portion of the porous screen material further forms a surface which curves or angles upwards to adjoin at least a portion of the terminal edge;

wherein an angle of the surface adjoining the terminal edge is between 5-55 degrees relative to a horizontal plane; and

whereby the terminal edge permits movement by larvae from the growth region to the collection chute and prevents movement by larvae from the collection chute to the growth region; and

at least one frass collection tray positioned below at least a portion of the larvae tray.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein a perimeter of the larvae tray is substantially rectangular, and wherein the surface extends and meets the terminal edge along two opposites sides of the rectangle.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein at least one feed line directs a flow of the food to points along a center midline region of the plurality of larvae trays.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein

a plurality of trays are stacked vertically in layers and supported by a shelf;

multiple shelves are placed in rows inside a structure, wherein the rows are separated by a walkway; and

the inside of the structure has a controlled environment that is substantially controlled.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein a curvature or angle of the surface provides a directional cue for the larvae, wherein the directional cue signals movement of mature larvae toward the terminal edge, and wherein the directional cue prevents or deters juvenile larvae from approaching the terminal edge and escaping the larvae tray.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the frass tray further comprises a conveyor belt to assist collection of frass.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the porous screen material prevents larvae from passing through the bottom and comprises a wire mesh, wherein a wire diameter is between about 0.05 mm to about 2.00 mm, wherein a gap between wires is between about 0.10 mm to about 5.0 mm, and wherein openings in the porous screen material comprise 40-80% of surface area of the porous screen material.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the porous screen material facilitates air exchange between a controlled environment and a larval colony comprised of juvenile larvae in the larvae tray, and wherein the air exchange is sufficient to prevent anaerobic conditions from being created in the larvae colony.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the food is a slurry comprising water and solid organic material, and wherein the slurry has a viscosity in a range of about 10,000 to 100,000 cP.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one larvae tray is maintained within a controlled environment, wherein the controlled environment provides at least one environmental cue to regulate migration of larvae, and wherein the additional cue is selected from the group consisting of: humidity level, airflow, temperature, pH, food availability, and moisture content.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an end piece, wherein an edge of the porous screen material is fixed in place by the end piece, wherein the end piece forms a substantially vertical solid surface at a tray end, and wherein the end piece is a barrier to larvae movement, thereby preventing larvae from exiting the larvae tray at the tray end.

12. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of end pieces located on opposite ends of a larvae tray, wherein the pair of end pieces rest upon shelf supports, thereby suspending and holding the larvae tray in place on a shelf of a rack.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the larvae is black soldier fly larvae.