Project Description:

Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) (BSF) is a beneficial insect which can adapt to tropical climate and is not considered a disease vector. Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSFL) mainly feeds on organic waste to reserve the nutrients required for the adult phase, making it a potential waste management technology. The growth, survival, productivity, and subsequent nutritive value of BSFL are strongly influenced by the substrate type and composition. This study aims to test utilization and supplementation of various organic substrates to improve growth performance, waste reduction performance, and nutritional profile of the BSFL. The long-term goal is to develop a sustainable BSFL-based waste treatment operation and create value-added products in the larval biomass by tailoring a specific substrate composition.