Assessing egg deposition behaviour of female black soldier fly (Hermetia: Illucens) in Kumasi, Ghana using MOSW as bait

Abstract

The availability of the black soldier fly (BSF) at a location is of great importance if its larvae are to be used for commercial composting of municipal organic solid waste (MOSW). In this context, it is crucial to determine where the insects are readily available and how natural environmental conditions influence their oviposition. This study used MOSW as bait to determine locations where these insects are readily available and their egg cluster as an indication of their presence. Data were collected at four locations: Plantain farm, poultry farm, under a pear tree, and waste communal container site. For each site, data were collected in the morning (6:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.), afternoon (12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.), and evening (after 6:00 p.m.) to determine the peak egg-laying times of these insects. This was carried out for two seasons of the year – rainy season (June, July and August) and dry season (December, January, and February) to assess seasonal variability on oviposition and fecundity. Environmental conditions such as temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity were also measured under which oviposition took place. The highest average number of BSF egg clusters of 17.5 ± 13.74 was harvested at the waste communal container site and the lowest average number of 2 ± 0.81 was harvested at the poultry farm. Peak egg laying times were recorded in the afternoon between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., where an average of 15.17 ± 4.7 clusters were harvested. Most BSF egg clusters were harvested during the rainy season, averaging 9.1 ± 12.2. The dry season recorded a higher average number of eggs per cluster at 454.18 ± 164.92. It is concluded that BSF larval composting technology can be commercialized in Kumasi, Ghana as the insects were readily available during the two main seasons in the country.