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BUG POOP
Evidence library

Science

We separate four evidence layers: Bug Poop-specific observations, cricket-frass research, research on frass from other insects, and ingredient/mechanism studies. Each layer answers a different question and has a different level of directness to this product.

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S01

Evidence key

Bug Poop observations

What growers or the business observed about Bug Poop itself. Useful context, but not controlled proof.

Cricket-frass research

Research on cricket frass from other systems. More directly related than generic frass evidence, but not the sold product.

Other-insect-frass research

Category-level evidence from frass made by other insect species.

Ingredient or mechanism research

Background evidence about isolated materials or mechanisms. It does not establish a Bug Poop outcome.

S02

Cricket-frass research

Cricket-frass research
SE003

Ony et al. — cricket frass and green beans

ContextGryllus madagascariensis cricket frass; Madagascar field context; green beans.

FindingSome outcomes improved at the highest cricket-frass dose, supporting context-specific agronomic potential.

LimitDifferent cricket species, crop, soil, geography and dose from Bug Poop; not product-specific. Total pod biomass did not differ significantly among treatments.

Open source
Cricket-frass research
SE004

Ony et al. — cricket frass and zucchini

ContextGryllus madagascariensis cricket frass at two contrasting sites in Madagascar; zucchini.

FindingVegetative measures were generally dose-responsive, while fruit-yield ranking varied by site and treatment.

LimitDifferent species, product, crop and sites; not Bug Poop. Dose, site and crop moderate outcomes.

Open source
Cricket-frass research
SE005

Ferruzca-Campos et al. — cricket frass in tomato

ContextAcheta domesticus frass at 0.1%, 0.5% and 1.0% w/w; tomato under protected conditions.

FindingResponses were dose-dependent and hormetic: low dose behaved more biostimulant-like while higher doses elicited stress or defence responses.

LimitProtected tomato conditions; product composition not matched. This warns against assuming more frass always means more benefit.

Open source
Cricket-frass research
SE006

Sarin et al. — cricket and locust frass

ContextSeveral cricket species plus locust frass; chemistry, microbial composition and seedling growth.

FindingCricket frass was not compositionally uniform across species; microbiome profiles and nutrient availability varied.

LimitDifferent frass sources and laboratory/seedling scope. Product-specific batch chemistry and viability testing are needed before strong nutrient or microbial claims.

Open source
S03

Other-insect-frass research

Other-insect-frass research
SE001

Poveda — insect frass in sustainable agriculture

ContextReview across multiple insect species and cropping contexts.

FindingFrass can supply nutrients and influence growth, defence and soil processes, but composition and effects depend on insect, substrate, processing and context.

LimitNot Bug Poop-specific; underlying evidence is heterogeneous.

Open source
Other-insect-frass research
SE002

Sarikaki et al. — insect frass as a fertilizing product

ContextReview across multiple insect species.

FindingFrass is heterogeneous and potentially useful as a fertilising product, with performance and risk shaped by source and processing.

LimitReview quality and study heterogeneity prevent product-specific inference.

Open source
Other-insect-frass research
SE007

Beesigamukama et al. — nine edible insects

ContextNutrient quality and maturity across frass from nine edible insect species.

FindingNutrient quality and maturity varied substantially across insect-frass sources.

LimitNot Bug Poop-specific. Generic nutrient numbers should not be transferred to this product without analysis.

Open source
Other-insect-frass research
SE008

Praeg & Klammsteiner — species and heat-treatment effects

ContextMass-reared insects including cricket frass; laboratory-scale comparison.

FindingFrass species differed; heat treatment reduced microbial load/activity while plant-nutritional features were not materially lost.

LimitShort-term laboratory scale and not Bug Poop. Product-specific microbiology and safety evidence are needed before treating lack of heat treatment as a benefit.

Open source
Other-insect-frass research
SE009

Beesigamukama et al. — black soldier fly frass and maize

ContextBlack soldier fly frass; maize field conditions.

FindingPositive maize outcomes were reported under the tested conditions.

LimitDifferent insect species and agronomic context. This is not Bug Poop proof.

Open source
Other-insect-frass research
SE014

Hénault-Éthier et al. — upcycling insect manure/frass

ContextLiterature review across multiple insect production systems.

FindingInsect production can generate substantial frass side-streams and circular-economy opportunities when byproducts are upcycled.

LimitBroad, not product-specific; does not substantiate quantified environmental superiority for Bug Poop.

Open source
S04

Ingredient and mechanism research

Ingredient or mechanism research
SE010

Silva-Santos et al. — isolated chitosan

ContextFoliar chitosan doses in Lippia alba; not frass.

FindingIsolated chitosan affected trichomes and aromatic/volatile outcomes in that plant and context.

LimitDifferent species, delivery method and material. This does not establish a Bug Poop effect on trichomes, terpenes or aroma.

Open source
Ingredient or mechanism research
SE011

Barragán-Fonseca et al. — frass, exuviae and plant health

ContextReview across multiple insect/material contexts.

FindingChitin, exuviae and frass are biologically plausible inputs affecting plant growth and defence pathways.

LimitReview-level heterogeneous evidence; useful for mechanism context, not product efficacy.

Open source
Ingredient or mechanism research
SE012

Hashem et al. — Bacillus subtilis

ContextGeneric microbial mechanism; not Bug Poop.

FindingSome Bacillus strains can promote plant growth and affect stress responses.

LimitNo evidence here establishes that Bug Poop contains a verified viable Bacillus strain at effective levels.

Open source
Ingredient or mechanism research
SE013

Fira et al. — Bacillus and pathogen suppression

ContextGeneric Bacillus biocontrol mechanisms; not Bug Poop.

FindingCertain Bacillus strains can contribute to pathogen suppression in defined systems.

LimitNo product-specific strain, viability or dose evidence. Background only; disease-control claims would require additional regulatory caution.

Open source
S05

Bug Poop-specific observations

Observation · not a controlled trial

A small test involving six amateur growers is described by the current evidence record as independent and blind. Participants reported that plants appeared healthier and said they would use or recommend Bug Poop again.

LimitThis is observation/testimonial evidence, not a controlled Bug Poop efficacy trial.

S06

What is still unknown or unverified

Still unverified

Pack weight

Two current source records conflict on pack weight, so the prototype does not publish a final value.

Still unverified

Shipping rule

Current sales language and policy wording conflict, so no shipping promise is shown here.

Still unverified

Legal product category

Final GB classification/claim boundary unresolved.

Still unverified

Application rate and directions

No canonical validated application direction has been established for publication.

Still unverified

Product composition

No current product-specific NPK/pH/EC/mineral/organic-matter/chitin report located.

Still unverified

Microbial viability

No product-specific viable taxa/strain/CFU/shelf-life evidence located.

Still unverified

Safety testing

No current product-specific pathogen/contaminant/heavy-metal report located.

Still unverified

Controlled product efficacy

No controlled Bug-Poop-specific agronomic trial located.

Still unverified

Grower test method

N=6 protocol/blinding/control/randomisation/raw data/independence unresolved.

Still unverified

Traceability

Internal species and in-house production evidence exists, but sold-batch traceability proof was not located.

S07

References

  1. SE001 Poveda J. Insect frass in the development of sustainable agriculture. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-020-00656-x
  2. SE002 Sarikaki et al. Insect Frass as a Fertilizing Product: Composition, Agronomic Performance, Environmental Risks, and Regulatory Context. Environments. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13050233
  3. SE003 Ony et al. Effect of Cricket Frass Fertilizer on growth and pod production of green beans. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0303080
  4. SE004 Ony et al. Assessment of cricket frass as a sustainable organic fertilizer: Effects on seedling establishment, growth and fruit yield of zucchini. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0351645
  5. SE005 Ferruzca-Campos et al. Biostimulant and Elicitor Responses to Cricket Frass (Acheta domesticus) in Tomato under Protected Conditions. Plants. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061327
  6. SE006 Sarin et al. Cricket and Locust Frass as Organic Fertilizers: Microbial Composition, Nutrient Availability, and Effects on Seedling Growth. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-025-02962-3
  7. SE007 Beesigamukama et al. Nutrient quality and maturity status of frass fertilizer from nine edible insects. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-11336-z
  8. SE008 Praeg N, Klammsteiner T. Primary study on frass fertilizers from mass-reared insects: Species variation, heat treatment effects, and implications for soil application at laboratory scale. Journal of Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120622
  9. SE009 Beesigamukama et al. Exploring Black Soldier Fly Frass as Novel Fertilizer for Improved Growth, Yield, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Maize Under Field Conditions. Frontiers in Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.574592
  10. SE010 Silva-Santos et al. Yeast extract and chitosan elicitation improves essential oil, regulates plant growth and antioxidative system in Lippia alba. South African Journal of Botany. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2023.10.024
  11. SE011 Barragán-Fonseca et al. Insect frass and exuviae to promote plant growth and health. Trends in Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2022.01.007
  12. SE012 Hashem et al. Bacillus subtilis: A plant-growth promoting rhizobacterium that also impacts biotic stress. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2019.05.004
  13. SE013 Fira et al. Biological control of plant pathogens by Bacillus species. Journal of Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiotec.2018.07.044
  14. SE014 Hénault-Éthier et al. Opportunities and challenges in upcycling agri-food byproducts to generate insect manure (frass): A literature review. Waste Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2023.12.033