Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae): Need, Potentiality, and Performance Measures

Anjani Nayak, Martin Rühl and Patrick Klüber ()
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Anjani Nayak: Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Martin Rühl: Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Patrick Klüber: Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), 35392 Giessen, Germany

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-26

Abstract: The research on black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens L.; Diptera: Stratiomyidae) rearing is on the rise. The larval ability to grow on organic substances makes it an ideal candidate for the bioconversion of agricultural and other organic side streams. While there are several publications on the variables influencing the growth and development of different stages of BSF, juxtaposing the results could be amiss. This is because of the different experimental approaches and units used by the researchers. A few publications also lack information that might be necessary for comparing the results when using similar substrate and rearing conditions. In this review, we have analyzed the studies on rearing variables such as the type of feeding substrate, substrate depth and aeration, substrate temperature, substrate moisture, pH, feeding rate, and larval density mainly, but not exclusively, for the larvae. For the adults, factors such as the cage size, fly density, light, ambient temperature, and relative humidity are considered. In addition, larval performance when fed with side streams is encapsulated. This provides a backbone for future researchers to identify the already assessed variables along with their range and encourages them to define and use standardized rearing practices for a better comparison of the results.

Keywords: black soldier fly; Hermetia illucens; insect rearing; rearing variables; side streams; circular economy; sustainability; insects as feed; alternative protein; waste reduction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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