“Our future”. So says the caption superimposed on a video showing thousands and thousands of larvae on a farm. The description of the message written by the person sharing it clarifies the reason for sharing. This is a warning against those who might introduce mealworms, the consumption of which is legal and regulated in the EU, into our diet. However, the video does not show mealworms, but fishing bait.
For those in a hurry:
- A video is circulating showing tanks full of swarming larvae.
- The video is being shared to warn that these larvae could become insect meal for human consumption.
- In reality the video does not show mealworms, but fishing bait.
Analyzes
Let's see a screenshot of one of the messages being checked. The words “the future” appear on the video, while the description reads:
The flours of our future…
They're not mealworms
The video shows tanks filled with what appears to be a swarm of larvae. The voice of the filmer narrates the scene: “First phase of the day, the feline’s aspiration”. The comment overlaps with an image of a man using a large tube to suck out the larvae, causing them to end up in a metal barrel. The reference is clear, those who share the video assume that it shows a breeding of mealworms, one of the insects authorized for food consumption in the European Union, along with domestic crickets and migratory locusts.
These are fishing bait
However, the insects shown in the video are not intended for human consumption, but for fish. It's the same off-screen voice that says it. In fact, they are intended for the company created by the person who is talking with another member: this Future Bait SRLS. Bait in English means bait. As the person filming the video explains, the beings seen are maggots, better known as maggots – this is how most worms and larvae are defined in northern Italy – the most common type of fishing bait. We read on the specialized site Pescatube: “Its surprising liveliness and mobility make it irresistible to the most varied species of fish, from rootworms to predators. A few sling shots on the fishing area are enough to create a swarm of small larvae capable of attracting the attention of any fish nearby. Normally, fly larvae are used for fishing. The species gets its name from the fly's favorite food, rotting flesh. The difference is visible even to the naked eye. Since fly larvae have a color close to ivory, while that of flour (tenebrio milling machine) are orange.
Conclusions
A video is circulating showing tanks full of swarming larvae. The video is being shared to warn that these could become insect meal for human consumption. In reality the video does not show mealworms, but fishing bait.
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