Insect farming-BSF(black soldier fly)

Considering the fact that insect larvae contain many proteins, makes us think that they can be a source of proteins and minerals, such as iron, zinc and magnesium for farmed animals. This would provide an economically and ecologically sustainable source of proteins for animals and aquaculture animals as well. So I will try to explain as much as I have researched the way of growing, maintenance, reproduction etc… of insects larvae more exactly of BSF larvae in the paragraphs that are coming.

What is insect farming?

The growth of insects along with their larvae, is the practice of raising insects as livestock. They may be farmed for the commodities they produce, or of them themselves; to be used as food, as a dye, and otherwise.

We have many types of insects and their larvae that can be used for such purposes:

1. Silkworms

2. Cochineal

3. Ladybugs

4. House Files

5. Soldier Fly Larvae

6. Red Wigglers and

7. Crickets

But we have only considered black soldier fly larvae for this document.

Black soldier fly

What is a black soldier fly?

BSF is an insect whose larvae can consume large amounts of organic waste, be used as food for animals such as different birds, fish etc. It is very practical to raise this kind of insects.

Why black soldier fly larvae?

Because black soldier fly larvae are a high-value feed source, rich in protein and fat. They contain about 40–45% DM protein. Also they grow like crazy. Within as little as two weeks of hatching, black soldier fly will grow 15,000 times their size.

They reproduce a lot, 500 eggs is typical for an average black soldier fly.

Black soldier fly larvae grow so fast because they eat over twice their own body weight every day

When you decide to start insect farming, raising BSF, it is very important to know:

1.Where are we going to get the organic waste we need to feed BSF larvae

2. BSF life cycle and

3. Overall siting consideration for a BSF processing facility.

1.- Houses, restaurants, hospitals, schools that serve food just throw their organic waste away. We can feed that organic waste to BSF larvae.

2.- Lifespan of BSF is 5–8 days, they do not have mouthparts therefore they do not bite and spread diseases. A few days after becoming adults and emerging from a pupal case, female BSF find a mate and they do not waste any time laying 500+ eggs. In the BSF rearing unit mating takes place in a so called “ love cage” where the flies are provided with a water source for drinking, space for mating and the place where the females lay their eggs or so called eggies

After a week of hard reproduction most of the flies die and we need to remove the “love cage”, during this time (4–5 days) the larvae emerge from the egg and immediately start eating. Two weeks later, the larvae have reached full maturity given their environmental conditions are favorable. It may take up to six months for larvae to reach maturity to BSF’s ability to extend their life cycle in hostile circumstances.

Pupae stages begin when larvae remove from their feeding sites in search of the dry, sheltered environment. Once this occurs, pupation starts. Pupation takes another two weeks before an adult emerges from the pupae case. Then, the adult emerges to reproduce again and the cycle repeats.

2.1- Environmental conditions: BSF are extremely sensitive to their environments, thus, their conditions need to be monitored extensively to ensure the highest yield is obtained. Considering BSF are an equatorial and generally a warm season temperature species, their lifespan is dictated by how warm their environment is so it is important to keep a temperature of 27–30°C.

Low humidity levels results in water loss through the egg membrane. Adults live 2–3 days longer when humidity is higher. Considering BSF do not mate in the winter months, another aspect to be considered is light source. Naturally, BSF require direct sunlight to encourage mating.

3.- The manual of BSF processing facility is structured according to the five main processing units:

• BSF rearing unit
• Waste receiving and pre-processing unit
• BSF waste treatment unit
• Product harvesting unit
• Post-treatment unit(larvae refining and residue processing)

We can organize these treatment units as we like depending on how much organic waste per day we use for example two tons or more or less.

We also are planning on writing a document about our research on aquaponics system and this would be a very good reference for interconnection between insect farming and aquaponics. Because we see this as a food cycle, where insect larvae are the main food for fish, for example in an aquaponics system and fish is food for another animal and so it goes on.