Feeding strategies for small-scale rearing black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) as organic waste recycler

Abstract

Processing organic waste using black soldier fly (BSF)-based technology offers a promising alternative for sustainable organic waste management and urban sanitation. This study was conducted to assess the influence of feeding strategies on the efficacy of BSF larvae to recycle organic wastes into value products. Fruit waste and chicken manure were used as organic waste samples while commercial chicken feed was used as a control, and were processed for 15 days in circular plastic containers (Ø 30 × 12 cm) with 50; 100; 150; and 200 mg/larva/day continuous and batch feeding diets, using 500 four-day-old larvae per diet, repeated four times. Larval survival rates were not significantly affected by the feeding strategies. However, average larval biomass of 83.69 ± 13.04 g and 82.46 ± 08.52 g was achieved for the continuous and batch feeding strategies, respectively, under favorable conditions. Larval feed reduction rates ranged from 24.65 ± 03.48% to 72.78 ± 01.48% and 24.52 ± 0.27% to 72.25 ± 12.13% with continuous and batch feeding strategies, respectively, and were significantly affected by the different daily diets. On the other hand, the bioconversion rates ranged from 13.34 ± 0.26% to 50.82 ± 02.27%, and the highest values were observed with the continuous feeding diets. This study confirms the efficacy of BSF larvae to thrive in different organic substrates and shows that the continuous feeding strategy can be better and enhance a sustainable small-scale organic waste management.

Different Combinations of Butchery and Vegetable Wastes on Growth Performance, Chemical-Nutritional Characteristics and Oxidative Status of Black Soldier Fly Growing Larvae

“…Surprisingly, our results showed that the development time of larvae was not different among the groups. This result is in contrast with other researches [ 7 , 8 , 29 ]. It is not easy to explain this point, thus further insights need to clarify it, evaluating the metabolic profile of larvae in detail.…”

“…Indeed, considering the protein and moisture percentages of each substrate, the total protein available for larvae growth were: 679.6, 279.8, 543.1, and 482.4 g for control, V100, V50 + B50, and V75 + B25 groups, respectively. Even if the moisture percentage in each substrate were within the suitable range for BSF indicated by Cammack and Tomberlin [ 28 ], Dzepe et al [ 29 ], testing five substrates with increasing moisture content from 40 to 80%, observed that increasing the substrate moisture content reduces the larval feed reduction, wet weight, development time, body size, and body thickness. Lalander et al [ 30 ] also reported that high levels of moisture in the substrate reduced the biomass conversion ratio and survival rate of the larvae.…”

Bioconversion of Digestate, Pig Manure and Vegetal Residue-Based Waste Operated by Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

“…Highest larval growth rate (13.4 mg/d) was found in larvae reared on SW and was higher than in larvae reared on the reference substrate CF (7.2 mg/d) and PMLCF (7.3 mg/d). The final larval weight (69 mg) on the reference substrate was in the range of larval weights obtained on a chicken feed in another experiment [ 13 ]. Larval growth rate (13.4 mg/d) of larvae fed SW containing pasta, potatoes and vegetables in the experiment was higher than the VEGFRU or FRU substrates [ 20 ].…”

“…Chicken feed (Agruniek Rijnvallei Voer BV, Wageningen, The Netherlands) was used as a reference diet (19.8% crude protein, 5.3% fat, 6.2% crude fiber, and 5.2% crude ash). Chicken feed was also used as a reference diet in other experiments [ 12 , 13 ]. Pig manure solid were sow faeces provided by Van Beek SPF Varkens B.V. (Lelystad, The Netherlands).…”

Insects as Feed for Companion and Exotic Pets: A Current Trend

“…Larvae are fed with household wastes, agroindustrial wastes or to a lesser extent with animal or marine waste. They are then harvested and processed as live or dehydrated larvae, larval meal and/or fat [ 75 ]. The meal and fat are used as ingredients in the formulation of food (dry and wet) and treats for dogs and cats, while the live or dehydrated larvae are offered as a dietary supplement for exotic pets.…”