The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is rapidly becoming a very popular agricultural insect since it is easy to farm, does not carry diseases, and can be used to reduce organic waste (by eating it) with the resulting larval or pupal mass then used as a rich food source for a range of other farmed animals. However, most of this growth is seen in temperate developed countries where significant energy (heating) is required to farm them, whereas in many tropical developing countries this farming could be potentially more cost-effective. Thus, I am very pleased to have been involved in a collaborative theoretical/review study with a talented young environmental engineer, Gardenio Diogo Pimentel da Silva, where we argue for the feasibility of establishing smaller distributed black soldier fly systems in Brazil.
da Silva, G. D. P. and Hesselberg, T. (2020). A Review of the Use of Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), to Compost Organic Waste in Tropical Regions. Neotropical Entomology 49, 151-162. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-019-00719-z.
Abstract
Hermetia illucens (L., 1758) is a fly of the family Stratiomyidae frequently found in tropical zones. Adult flies are not considered pathogens as they are incapable of biting and feeding thus not transmitting sicknesses to humans. The larval stage feeds off organic matter and offer a rich protein source naturally consumed by animals. The use of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae to treat organic waste is growing around the world. This is especially true for tropical low- and middle-income countries as their favourable climate conditions mean that the BSF technology has significant potential to solve existing problems associated with a poorly developed sanitation infrastructure. In this study, we evaluate the feasibility, benefits and limitations of implementing BSF projects in tropical regions using Belem, in Brazil, as a case study. Black soldier fly prepupae, arising from the waste reduction process, can be used as animal feed. It therefore offers potential to promote regional development, create jobs and dispose of organic waste locally. Legal requirements as outlined in the Brazilian National Policy on Waste offer further incentives. However, more studies are needed to compare BSF waste reduction efficiency and prepupae yield to other technologies such as traditional composting and vermiculture, which can inform the decision-making for implementation of organic waste treatment facilities.
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