Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Farming
Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) farming is presently the most widespread form of insect farming in the world. The Black Soldier Fly Larvae is ideally suited for food production due to its rapid production cycle and high concentration of protein. The high percentage of protein in the larvae makes them an ideal source of food for a wide variety of animals.
Black Soldier Fly Life Cycle
The black soldier fly undergoes five main stages in its life cycle: egg, larval, prepupal, pupal, and adult stages. The longest phase of its life cycle is spent in the larval and pupa stages, whereas egg and adult stages are relatively short. Females lay between 500 and 900 eggs. On average, the eggs hatch in four days. The emerged larvae from the eggs initiate feeding immediately on different types of organic matter, including decaying fruits, vegetables, and food waste. prepupae. In the prepupae stage, the insect empties its digestive tract and ceases feeding. The prepupae then migrate from their food source to dry crevices to metamorphose into pupae in 7-10 days. The pupal stage, during which larvae do not move nor eat for at least 8 days, ends with the adult fly emergence. The adult fly feeds on nothing except water and relies on the fat stored in its larval stage. The fly mates and lays eggs in 5-8 days. Shortly after having oviposited, the female dies.
Black Soldier Fly Larvae Farming
During the breeding phase, also known as the hatchery phase, the eggs deposited by adult Black Soldier Flies are placed in racked containers filled with substrate consisting of residual waste streams such as organic food waste. Under completely controlled climate conditions, the eggs hatch very quickly into tiny Black Soldier Fly larvae. During the production phase, temperature, humidity, and food supply are carefully controlled and optimized for growth of the larvae, which reach their maximum body mass in only 5 days. During this period, the larvae rapidly consume nutrients from the organic waste in order to prepare themselves for the other stages of their life up to an adult fly.
Harvesting BSF Larvae
When they are ready to be harvested, the larvae consist for 40% to 65% of protein and other essential nutrients for humans and animals. The dried insects are then processed to provide an insect meal that is ready for distribution and further processing.
Sustainability of BSF Farming
Insect farming is, in principle, much more efficient and sustainable than the farming of cattle, pigs, and poultry. Insects are 4 to 10 times more efficient in converting nutrients into body mass. In addition, insect larvae feed on a wider range of residual waste streams that are efficiently converted into protein-rich body mass.
BSFL are a reliable source of protein, as well as other important nutrients such as calcium and iron. They are used to produce a variety of animal feeds.
Consultancy
At Waste2Table, our team are available to offer consultancy on Black Soldier Fly farming