System development for production of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) in small scale, using wild flies

Sandro Morais Dos Santos,Arlen Nicson Lopes Pena,Isabela Parolis Martins,Paolo Lages Sequenzia,Wedson Carlos Lima Nogueira,Elias Barbosa Rodrigues,Diego Vicente Da Costa

doi:10.33448/rsd-v11i1.24747

Abstract

Technological innovation in rural areas guarantees the maintenance and subsistence of rural producers. Additionally, it is mandatory to use strategies aimed at reducing costs in animal production and reducing the environmental impact involved, making it challenging in the current global scenario. Thus, it is necessary to develop new alternative methods of production aimed at small scales, which can be implemented in small properties with reduced capital investment. In this sense, the objective was to describe the development of a system capable of inducing the production of black soldier fly larvae-BSFL (Hermetia illucens) through the attractiveness of egg laying of wild adults. To make the larvae production system, the following were needed: a plastic drum, with a capacity of 200 liters, 10 meters of 8mm silk rope, 1.5 m2 of wire mesh with 25mm x 20mm mesh, 1 m2 3mm x 2mm nylon mesh, plastic faucet for draining the slurry, one meter of 20mm diameter hose, two plastic containers with capacity of 20 liters for collecting the slurry and pre-pupae; besides equipment for cutting and finishing the drum. The System was supplied with organic plant material from daily household disposal, and other plant residues produced on the property. The development of this System can provide great social and economic viability, as it can be implemented in small rural properties for the treatment of organic waste. The mechanism presented good performance for the recycling of organic waste, and also for the production of BSFL, with satisfactory quantity collected daily.

Highlights

Insects have been proposed as an alternative source of high quality, efficient and sustainable protein
The main species of edible insects used for commercial purposes are: common tenebrium (Tenebrio molitor), giant tenebrium (Zophobas morio), domestic cricket (Acheta domesticus), black cricket (Grillus assimilis), black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) and the grasshopper (Locusta migratoria) (Nascimento et al, 2020)
Among the various species of insects that have been studied for protein production puposes, the Hermetia illucens known as Black Soldier Fly (BSF) stands out in this scenario, for its capacity to convert organic residues into valuable biomass, with low release of greenhouse gas (GHG), in addition to a low need for water consumption in its production (Nascimento et al, 2020; Mertenat et al, 2019 e Ermolaev et al, 2019)

Summary

Introduction

Insects have been proposed as an alternative source of high quality, efficient and sustainable protein. Hermetia illucens L., belonging to the Stratiomyidae family, is native from the tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas They are found in tropical and temperate climate regions, mainly in environments that contain decaying materials, which can come from plant residues, animal waste, and others (Diener et al, 2009; Tomberlin, 2001; Zhang et al, 2010). This fly develops better in warmer environments, especially in a temperature range between 29oC and 31oC, and with a relative humidity (RH) between 50 and 70%, and may require heating for its creation in colder places (Veldkamp et al, 2012)

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Results

Conclusion