Process and machine for filling a container with insect larvae

A process for filling a container with insect larvae, wherein the container has a plurality of compartments distributed in rows for receiving a larva in each compartment, the process comprising:

• supplying the larvae to a hopper which is arranged adjacent to a roller having lines of openings on the outer surface thereof for adhering a larva at each opening,
• applying a vacuum inside the roller for adhering the larvae to the openings,
• moving the container in a linear forward movement direction towards the roller, the container being moved through an area below the roller and the roller being arranged in a transverse position with respect to the forward movement direction,
• rotating the roller in a manner that is synchronized with the forward movement of the container from a loading position in which the larvae from the hopper are adhered to the openings of the roller to an unloading position in which one of the lines of openings of the roller faces the compartments of one of the rows of the container, and
• removing the vacuum from the line of openings in the unloading position in order to release the larvae, with one larva being arranged in each compartment of the row of the container.