Henry et. al found that feeding European sea bass with Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) for 6 weeks showed anti-inflamattory effect. Moreover, it improved antibacterial and anti-parasitical defense of seabass. Interestingly, the mealworm imitated parasites thus acting as immunostimulant in the gut with potential anti-parasite activity and exogenous proteases inhibited complement and trypsin-inhibition activities.
The European bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is a primarily ocean-going fish native to the waters off Europe’s western and southern and Africa’s northern coasts, though it can also be found in shallow coastal waters and river mouths during the summer months. It is one of only six species in its family, Moronidae, collectively called the temperate basses.
Citation:
Henry, M.A, L. Gasco, S. Chatzifotis, and G.Piccolo. (2018). Does dietary insect meal affect the fish immune system? The case of mealworm, Tenebrio molitor on European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax. Developmental & Comparative Immunology, Volume 81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2017.12.002.