Hermetia illucens, the black soldier fly, “is a common and widespread fly of the family Stratiomyidae. The larvae and adults are considered neither pests nor vectors. Instead, black soldier fly larvae play a similar role to that of redworms as essential decomposers in breaking down organic substrates and returning nutrients to the soil.
Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are an excellent source of sustainable protein for aqua culture, animal feed, and pet and human nutrition. The larvae have voracious appetites and can be used for composting household food scraps and agricultural waste products.” Keep learning
Short life cycle: | 30-40 days |
High fecundity: | 900 eggs per spawn |
Fast growth: | hatch to harvest is only 10 to 12 days |
Excellent nutritional profile: | low chitin content |
High resistance: | any known disease as of today |
Autogenous species: | adult doesn’t eat |
Adult fly is not a pest | nor bite, sting or spread disease |
Non-invasive species | not a carrier of disease for livestock or human |
Based on the observation, Dr. Taylor did some analyses of the insects, and determined that they were actually quite efficient at turning food waste into biomass. PLEASE CHECK THIS GREAT PRESENTATION from page 49 to 54 Credit: Philip Taylor, Duke University.
Highlights
Abstract
In developing countries, effective waste management strategies are constrained by high collection costs and lack of adequate treatment and disposal options. The organic fraction in particular, which accounts for more than 50% of the waste production, constitutes a great, yet
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens and effects on its life cycle (PDF Download Available).