The Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens (L.), Diptera: Stratiomyidae) is an insect whose larvae thrive on agro-industrial by-products. This study reports the first use of black soldier fly larvae processing residue (BSPR) as an innovative ingredient for growing media. BSPR was characterized and evaluated to partially replace commercial peat (CP) in the production of potted plants. Chemical and microbiological analysis showed the suitability of BSPR for soilless production. Hence, six growing media mixtures (CP 100% + slow acting synthetic solid fertilizer, CP 90% + BSPR 10%, CP 80% + BSPR 20%, CP 70% + BSPR 30%, CP 60% + BSPR 40% and CP 100% without fertilizer) were assessed for the production of baby leaf lettuce, basil and tomato potted plants. Using BSPR in a proportion up to 20%, all investigated crops showed values significantly greater than or comparable to those obtained using CP 100% + slow acting synthetic solid fertilizer. In general, BSPR used in a proportion up to 20% increased the crop growth of baby leaf lettuce, basil and tomato, recording a high total dry weight (+31%, compared to the total average) and the measured leaf parameters (+39% of leaf area, +14% of leaf number), without showing abiotic stresses. This study indicates that BSPR used in a proportion up to 20% might be a valid approach for soilless production of potted baby leaf lettuce, basil and tomato plants.
Halyomorpha halys is an invasive polyphagous pest with a high negative impact on fruit orchards and other agricultural crops in the USA. In Italy, it was first detected in 2012 in Emilia Romagna, a northern region that is among the major European tree fruit production areas. A specific monitoring programme using active techniques was carried out in pear orchards and adjacent uncultivated areas between 2014 and 2016 to assess the abundance, seasonality and impact of H. halys and other phytophagous Heteroptera in the field. It emerged that just a few years after first discovery, this invasive species already largely outnumbers all the other Heteroptera and that it is a season-long pest for pear crops. Severe yield losses are reported in different farms, especially on the orchard borders, with more than 50% deformed fruits. Mirids are mostly found in the grassy areas and crops, and the other phytophagous Heteroptera, only occasionally detected in the orchard trees, occur mainly on hedges and other crops. Our survey demonstrates for the first time the great damaging potential of H. halys as a new key pest of orchards in southern Europe. The study also identified the patterns of seasonal abundance of adults and nymphs in the orchards and their uncultivated surroundings, providing baseline data for the development of specific strategies for sustainable management
BACKGROUND The total amount of bio‐waste produced annually in the EU by the food and beverage chains is estimated at 37 billion kg. The use of insects for the valorization of by‐products from these value chains may represent a sustainable solution. This study aimed to investigate the by‐products obtained from different food chains and used for the rearing of black soldier fly (BSF) prepupae, and to evaluate the content and profile of the lipid extracted from the prepupae and outline its possible applications. The substrates used in this experiment were: (i) industrial by‐products (brewery spent grains, cows’ milk whey, grape stalks, and tomato peels and seeds) and (ii) by‐products from retailers (bread dough, fish scraps, and spent coffee ground). Fat extracted from prepupae using an adjusted Folch method was used for total lipid content and fatty acid profile. RESULTS The best larval performances were obtained from beer (0.22 gweight per prepupa), tomato (0.19 gweight per prepupa), and cheese (0.14 gweight per prepupa) food‐chain by‐products. The extremely different compositions of the substrates were reflected in the differentiated lipid profile of the BSF prepupae and in the range of ratios between unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, which varied from 0.37 for cows’ milk whey to 1.34 for tomato peels and seeds. CONCLUSION The lipids, proteins, and chitin extracted from prepupae are high‐value bio‐based products that could be used in the feed / food industry or for the development of innovative biomaterials, such as biodiesel. These results suggest that food‐chain by‐products are the best candidates for insect‐bioconversion purposes. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
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