Influence of Selected Waste on the growth of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermatia illucens).

Abstract

The global demand for protein enriched foods for both humans and livestock is increasing. Urbanisation, improved incomes, growing human population and increase for centuries derived protein from terrestrial and aquatic animals and leguminous plants but all these protein sources have been affected by the human induced anthropogenic activities such as pollution, overexploitation, and indiscriminate harvests that have greatly reduced the productivity of natural ecosystems. Therefore there is need to diversify on the protein sources that can be accessed by humans and livestock through exploration of more innovative methods of producing protein. In Uganda, several studies have been conducted to develop technologies for massive production of edible insects such as grasshoppers, termites, carterpillars, BSFL, among others for inclusion in livestock feeds and human food. However, the breeding success of these insects has been very limited and has yielded poor results due to failure of maintaining substrates at successive generations such as the case with grasshopper rearing. The Black soldier fly larvae on the other hand have shown some success. They are edible, nutritious and can theoretically be reared more sustainably than extant farmed insects. This makes them a potential protein source for humans and livestock especially in the developing world. Uganda is still at its infant stages of exploring BSFL as an alternative protein source for fish and poultry. It is therefore important to identify and characterize the best substrates that can be used to rear BSFL for mass production. This study tested three common wastes; market waste (irish peels), brewery waste and cow dung. BSF eggs were hatched using moisturized maize bran to constitute a starter colony; 2.5g of 6-days old larvae obtained and transferred to each of the three substrates (irish peels, brewery waste and cow dung. The mixtures were kept at room temperature of 25 degrees celc, 40% -60% humidity, BSFL weight, length and girth were measured at days 6, 9,12, 15, & 18. Samples of BSF larvae were obtained at day 18 and taken for laboratory proximate protein analysis. Results showed that BSF Larvae grew in all substrates with longest, wildest and heaviest observed in Brewery waste. Protein content was relatively higher in cow dung and brewery waste and then irish manure however the difference was not significant.