Crickets, mealworms, and black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are three common insect species used in animal feeds. BSFL has received a lot of attention due to its short life cycle and ability to consume a wide variety of low-quality ingredients, upcycling them into a high-quality protein and energy source. In addition to the nutritional benefits of BSFL as a protein and energy source, these ingredients also have the potential to optimize animal performance via naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), chitin, and lauric acid. AMPs are small molecules that are a component of the insects’ innate immune system and can cause direct killing of bacteria. Chitin provides benefits by acting as a prebiotic, supplying nutrients for beneficial bacteria in the gut microflora. Finally, lauric acid is a major component of BSFL fatty acid composition and has been demonstrated to have many antimicrobial properties. This presentation will examine the beneficial properties of insect ingredients with specific focus on AMPs, chitin, and lauric acid.