Housefly Larvae Research Articles

Effects of Feeding Housefly (Musca domestica) Larvae on the Butchery Skills and Meat Sensory Characteristics of Local Chickens in Niger.

Simple SummaryLocal chicken is the most accessible animal protein source for poor people. Feeding chicken with insect larvae is sustainable, as insects are a natural feed for poultry and its production process is remarkably simple. It is also known that a novel feed can alter meat cutout’s yield and sensory characteristics. So, we investigate the effects of housefly larvae on local chicken carcass cutout’s yield and the meat sensory characteristics. We found that housefly larvae, in fresh and dried form, can substitute fishmeal up to 50% in chicken feed without an effect on growth performance. Housefly larvae did not deteriorate meat aptitude for three days’ storage at 4 °C and cooking. It was found that housefly larvae can improve juiciness and meat coloration, such as yellowness and redness. So, we conclude that housefly can be used by producers for sustainable and safe chicken meat production. However, particular consideration should be given to the increase in liver and spleen percentages of chickens fed dried larvae diets.The purpose of this work was to study the effects of substitution of fishmeal by housefly larvae at different rates and different physical states in the diet of local chickens. Five diets consisted of LFD, 25DL, 50DL, 25FL and 50FL, respectively, larval-free, 25%-dried-larvae, 50%-dried-larvae, 25%-fresh-larvae and 50%-fresh-larvae diet, in which 0, 25 and 50% of fishmeal was replaced by dried and fresh larvae, was formulated. A total of 165 local chickens of three weeks old, divided into 15 boxes in batches of 11 animals were raised. The experiment consists of three replications of five treatments. At 14 weeks of age, sixty chickens were slaughtered. Butchery skills and sensory characteristics were evaluated. Thus, a small variation of the ultimate pH from 5.63 to 5.55 between the different types of meat, and a carcass yield around 66%, was recorded. Any effects of substitution rate and physical state of housefly larvae on growth performance was not observed. Feet and proventriculus percentages increased in chickens fed 25% substitution. Liver and spleen percentage, and redder breast meat, increased in chicken fed dried larvae. Yellowness of the breast, thigh-and-drumstick meat and juiciness increased with 50% substitution. There is need of an investigation for liver and spleen enlargement and housefly larvae containing pigments. Thus, housefly larvae up to 50% substitution can be a suitable alternative to fishmeal in local chicken diets.

Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of MAF-1-Derived Antimicrobial Peptide Mt6 and Its D-Enantiomer D-Mt6 against Acinetobacter baumannii by Targeting Cell Membranes and Lipopolysaccharide Interaction.

ABSTRACTAntibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii is on the rise around the world, highlighting the urgent need for novel antimicrobial drugs. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) contribute to effective protection against infections by pathogens, making them the most promising options for next-generation antibiotics. Here, we report two designed, cationic, antimicrobial-derived peptides: Mt6, and its dextroisomer D-Mt6, belonging to the analogs of MAF-1, which is isolated from the instar larvae of houseflies. Both Mt6 and D-Mt6 have a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that is accompanied by strong antibacterial activities, especially against A. baumannii planktonic bacteria and biofilms. Additionally, the effect of D-Mt6 against A. baumannii is stable in a variety of physiological settings, including enzyme, salt ion, and hydrogen ion environments. Importantly, D-Mt6 cleans the bacteria on Caenorhabditis elegans without causing apparent toxicity and exhibits good activity in vivo. Both Mt6 and D-Mt6 demonstrated synergistic or additive capabilities with traditional antibiotics against A. baumannii, demonstrating their characteristics as potential complements to combination therapy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) experiments revealed that two analogs displayed rapid bactericidal activity by destroying cell membrane integrity. Furthermore, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cells, these AMPs drastically decreased IL-1β and TNF-a gene expression and protein secretion, implying anti-inflammatory characteristics. This trait is likely due to its dual function of directly binding LPS and inhibiting the LPS-activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in macrophages. Our findings suggested that D-Mt6 could be further developed as a novel antimicrobial/anti-inflammatory agent and used in the treatment of A. baumannii infections.IMPORTANCE Around 700,000 people worldwide die each year from antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Acinetobacter baumannii in clinical specimens increases year by year, and it is developing a strong resistance to clinical drugs, which is resulting in A. baumannii becoming the main opportunistic pathogen. Antimicrobial peptides show great potential as new antibacterial drugs that can replace traditional antibiotics. In our study, Mt6 and D-Mt6, two new antimicrobial peptides, were designed based on a natural peptide that we first discovered in the hemlymphocytes of housefly larvae. Both Mt6 and D-Mt6 showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, especially against A. baumannii, by damaging membrane integrity. Moreover, D-Mt6 showed better immunoregulatory activity against LPS induced inflammation through its LPS-neutralizing and suppression on MAPK signaling. This study suggested that D-Mt6 is a promising candidate drug as a derived peptide against A. baumannii.

Odor characteristics and health risks during food waste bioconversion by housefly (Musca domestica L.) larvae

Bioconversion by housefly (Musca domestica L.) larvae is a novel technology for reducing and recycling food waste. In this study, odor characteristics and health risks of gaseous pollutants from food waste bioconversion by housefly larvae were investigated and compared with other treatment technologies for the first time. Air samples were collected from different areas in a full-scale food waste bioconversion facility (50 t/d). The chemical compositions of the air samples were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed, the odor contribution and annoyance were assessed with the odor activity values and their sum, and the health risks (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks via inhalation and other risks) were evaluated. The total concentrations of volatile compounds were significantly higher in the breeding and biodegradation areas than in the other areas. Ethanol was the dominant odorant in the unloading, pretreatment, substrate storage, and breeding areas, while that was ammonia in the biodegradation and product areas. The sums of odor activity values in the breeding and biodegradation areas were the highest (1171 and 756, respectively) with trimethylamine as the key odorant. Carcinogenic risk in the breeding area was unacceptable with acetaldehyde as the key carcinogen, and possible carcinogenic risks existed in the other areas except for the substrate storage area. Non-carcinogenic risk existed in the order of breeding area > biodegradation area > product area > pretreatment area with acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia as the dominant contributors. The bioconversion technology showed different odor characteristics and health risks from other treatment technologies. Therefore, odor control and health protection measures should be taken based on the odor and health risk evaluation, especially in the breeding area. Suggestions on gas collection and treatment method selection were proposed. The findings provide a scientific basis for odor control and health protection in food waste bioconversion facilities.

Accelerated degradation of cellulose in silkworm excrement by the interaction of housefly larvae and cellulose-degrading bacteria

The environmental pollution caused by silkworm (Bombyx mori) excrement is prominent, and rich in refractory cellulose is the bottleneck restricting the efficient recycling of silkworm excrement. This study was performed to investigate the effects of housefly larvae vermicomposting on the biodegradation of cellulose in silkworm excrement. After six days, a 58.90% reduction of cellulose content in treatment groups was observed, which was significantly higher than 11.5% of the control groups without housefly larvae. Three cellulose-degrading bacterial strains were isolated from silkworm excrement, which were identified as Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and Bacillus subtilis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. These three bacterial stains had a high cellulose degradation index (HC value ranged to between 1.86 and 5.97 and FPase ranged from 5.07 U/mL to 7.31 U/mL). It was found that housefly larvae increased the abundance of cellulose-degrading bacterial genus (Bacillus and Pseudomonas) by regulating the external environmental conditions (temperature and pH). Carbohydrate metabolism was the bacterial communities' primary function during vermicomposting based on the PICRUSt. The results of Tax4Fun indicated that the abundance of endo-β-1,4-glucanase and exo-β-1,4-glucanase increased rapidly and maintained at a higher level in silkworm excrement due to the addition of housefly larvae, which contributed to the accelerated degradation of cellulose in silkworm excrement. The finding of this investigation showed that housefly larvae can significantly accelerate the degradation of cellulose in silkworm excrement by increasing the abundance of cellulose-degrading bacterial genera and cellulase.

Optimal substrates for producing housefly larvae with high nutritional composition for sustainable poultry feed in Niger

Poultry farming, because of its many potentialities (i.e. short duration of reproduction and production cycle, rapid return on investment), occupies a place of choice in development strategies and the fight against poverty in most African countries. In Niger, West Africa, poultry are fed specific protein-providing feed ingredients (such as fishmeal); however, these ingredients are very expensive and unsustainable. Larvae represent a potential alternative source of protein for poultry. Here, we investigated different substrates to optimise housefly (Musca domestica L. 1758) maggot production and nutritional composition. Eight dry substrates were tested. The highest larval biomass (larval biomass produced by 10 mg of house fly egg placed on 50 g dry substrate) and mean weight (individual house fly larvae 5 days after the incorporation of eggs on the substrate) were observed on millet and wheat bran (3,446.67±134.16 mg and 24.00±1.01 mg, respectively). However, larvae produced on Brewer’s spent grains had the highest protein and lipid content (53.79±1.04% and 24.13±5.20%, respectively). Ash content was highest for larvae produced on cow dung and a mixture of 50% wheat bran and 50% cow dung (15.01±0.32% and 15.41±0.09%, respectively). Maggots produced on rumen contents had the highest water content (80.89±0.22%). The profile of produced larvae included palmitic acid (30.99±0.48% on grain), palmitoleic acid (30.26±2.84% on cow dung), oleic acid (27.93±0.31% on rice hulls), and linoleic acid (26.41±0.18% on millet bran + rumen contents). For all substrates, Maggots contained more unsaturated fatty acids (57.59-66.52%) than saturated fatty acids (26.54-46.34%). This study, offers to farmers a wide variety of substrates that could be used to produce maggots, providing a sustainable source of protein that has not been previously available in Niger. We recommend the farmers to use the cow dung to produce maggots without cost.

Feasibility of housefly larvae-mediated vermicomposting for recycling food waste added digestate as additive

The development of methods for the efficient treatment and application of food waste digestate is an important research goal. Vermicomposting via housefly larvae is an efficient way to reduce food waste and achieve its valorization, however, studies on the application and performance of digestate in vermicomposting are rarely. The present study aimed to investigate the feasibility of the co-treatment of food waste and digestate as an additive via larvae. Restaurant food waste (RFW) and household food waste (HFW) were selected to assess the effects of waste type on vermicomposting performance and larval quality. Waste reduction rates of 50.9%–57.8% were observed in the vermicomposting of food waste mixed with digestate at a ratio of 25%, which were slightly lower than those for treatments without the addition of digestate (62.8%–65.9%). The addition of digestate increased the germination index, with a maximum value of 82% in the RFW treatments with 25% digestate, and decreased the respiration activity, with a minimum value of 30 mg-O2/g-TS. The larval productivity of 13.9% in the RFW treatment system with a digestate rate of 25% was lower that without digestate (19.5%). Materials balance shows that larval biomass and metabolic equivalent had decreasing trends as the amount of digestate increased and HFW vermicomposting exhibited lower bioconversion efficiency than that of RFW treatment system regardless of the addition of digestate. These results suggest that mixing digestate at a low ratio (25%) during vermicomposting of food waste especially RFW could lead to considerable larval biomass and generate relatively stable residues.

Chemical composition and toxicity of essential oils of clove flower buds and goat weed leaves against housefly larvae

ABSTRACT This work investigates the chemical composition and toxicity of the essential oils (EOs) extracted from clove flower buds and goat weed leaves against housefly larvae. The clove EO was oxygenised monoterpenes-dominated and Eugenol (41.49%) chemotype. The Chromene-dominated EO of goat weed was Precocene I (72.73%) chemotype. Application of 100 ppm of clove EO evoked 75.00% mortality that was significantly higher than 47.50% mortality observed in 100 ppm of goat weed EO. Maximum mortality (100.00%) was obtained when 400 ppm of clove EO was applied, but 72.50% mortality was observed when 400 ppm goat weed was applied. The results indicate that clove EO was superior to goat weed EO as toxicant against housefly larvae, which could be attributable to the variations in the chemical composition of the EOs.

Beneficial Bacteria in the Intestines of Housefly Larvae Promote Larval Development and Humoral Phenoloxidase Activity, While Harmful Bacteria do the Opposite.

The gut microenvironment of houseflies provides unique conditions for microbial colonization. Some gut microorganisms provide benefits for the development of the host by regulating the interaction between the host and intestinal pathogens. Gut microbial alterations can stimulate the host’s immune mechanism to resist pathogen invasion and affect the development of insects. In this study, we isolated 10 bacterial strains from housefly larval intestines. The isolated bacteria were added to the larval diet to analyze the effects of microecological regulation of gut bacteria on larval development. Dynamic changes in gut flora composition after oral administration of specific bacteria were analyzed although 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing technology. To explore the interaction between gut bacteria and the host, the immune response of larvae against the invasion of foreign microorganisms was observed through a phenoloxidase activity experiment. Our results showed that the oral administration of various isolated bacteria had different effects on larval development. Oral administration of beneficial bacteria, including Enterobacter hormaechei, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter bereziniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Lysinibacillus fusiformis and Bacillus safensis, promoted larval development by increasing gut community diversity and the humoral immunity of larvae, while harmful bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Providencia stuartii and Providencia vermicola, influenced larval development by inhibiting the growth of beneficial bacteria and reducing the humoral immunity of larvae. The beneficial bacteria isolated in our research could be applied as good probiotic additives for the intensive feeding of larvae, while isolation of the harmful bacteria provides a basis for the development of pest inhibitors. Furthermore, our research revealed the immune response of housefly phenoloxidase to exogenous microorganism stimulation, providing richer and more comprehensive knowledge of the larval innate immune response.

Effect of housefly (Musca domestica) larvae on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of local chickens in Niger.

Background and Aim:The meat supply of local poultry for human consumption is greater than that of fast-growing poultry in Niger. However, meeting the protein needs of these local chickens is a major challenge due to the availability of protein sources and their cost. Nowadays, insect larvae such as houseflies are used and even recommended as animal feed; hence, the need to evaluate the effect of housefly (Musca domestica) larvae on the growth performance of local chickens. This study investigated the feeding effects of housefly larvae on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of local Nigerien chickens and determined the rate of fish meal substitution, in fresh or dry larvae form, whichever would be preferable.Materials and Methods:A total of 165 3-week-old local unsexed chickens of the salmon variety, weighing 120.3 ± 15.43 g, were used to evaluate the effect of housefly (M. domestica) larvae on their growth performance and carcass yield (CY). The experiment consisted of five treatments with three replicates, that is, 15 batches of 11 animals each. Five iso-protein-caloric diets were developed with 25%, and then 50% fish meal substitution with fresh and dried housefly larvae. The chicks were reared together during the first 3 weeks for their adaptation, during which they were fed an imported starter commercial feed, ad libitum. After that, they were weighed weekly for 12 weeks. Next, the body weights (BWs) were taken weekly for all chicks, feed daily intake and mortality were recorded daily, and average daily gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and viability rate were calculated. In the end, four chickens (two males and two females) per batch were slaughtered for the CY evaluation, breast meat, drumstick and tight (legs), and wings. Statistical analyses were performed using a linear mixed model for repeated data.Results:The weight, FCR, and carcass traits were unaffected by either the rate or larvae state. Conversely, the growth rate was improved, and feed consumption was increased. Notably, the chickens consumed more feed but grew faster with fresh larvae and at a higher substitution rate.Conclusion:This study reported that 50% fresh or dried housefly larvae substituted into the fish meal in growing local chicken’s diets had no effect on their BW, FCR, and carcass traits but increased the growth rate and feed consumption.

NIR laser-activated polydopamine-coated Fe3O4 nanoplatform used as a recyclable precise photothermal insecticide

Chemical pesticides are widely used in prevention and control of pests. However, low insecticidal efficacy, high environmental risks and pesticidal resistance severely constrain further applications. In this study, a near-infrared (NIR) laser-activated pesticide-free Fe3O4@PDA nanoplatform was constructed for precise photothermal killing of housefly larvae. The polydopamine (PDA) surface-functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4@PDA NPs) were synthesized by simply mixing dopamine with Fe3O4 NPs under aerobic alkaline conditions. These Fe3O4@PDA NPs exhibited superb photothermal performance with NIR laser irradiation. Larval uptake results revealed greater in vivo uptake of Fe3O4@PDA NPs than bare Fe3O4 NPs when housefly larvae were fed a NP-treated diet. These NPs exhibited favorable biocompatibility and showed no obvious influence on larval development and intestinal microbial population. However, when irradiated with a NIR laser, the NPs efficiently induced death of housefly larvae with high temperature (Tmax > 50 °C) damage to the intestinal wall and subsequent leakage of intestinal bacteria into the hemocoel. Furthermore, uneaten NPs can be collected by magnetic separation and show excellent thermal stability, which allowed recycling of these environmentally friendly nanoparticles. The Fe3O4-based nanoparticles integrate the independence of pesticides, pronounced photothermal control of pests, and environmental friendliness, making this nanoplatform promising for controlling vector pests and diseases.

Effect of Substrate and Rearing Period on the Yield and Quality of Housefly Larvae ((Musca Domestica) as Protein Ingredient in Fish Diets

Effect of Substrate and Rearing Period on the Yield and Quality of Housefly Larvae ((Musca Domestica) as Protein Ingredient in Fish Diets

Effect of Larval Diets on House Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Production and Host Suitability for a Pupal House Fly Parasitoid (Spalangia gemina) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae).

A larval medium for house fly (Musca domestica L.) suitable for house fly parasitoid production was developed from locally available and inexpensive food ingredients. Biological parameters and life table parameters were estimated for house flies treated with five different diets. It was found that percentage survival of 1st-3rd instar larvae of house fly, percentage of pupation, percentage of hatching adults, growth index, and life table parameters (net reproductive rate [R0] the cohort generation time [T], intrinsic rate of increase [r], and finite rate of increase [λ]) were significantly highest on larvae produced on diet 5 (composed of rice barn and chicken feed). Diet composition and performance of house fly larvae in larval medium are discussed, based on the results. The results of Spalangia gemina Bouček (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) parasitization on house fly pupae revealed that the number of total parasitized pupa and number of parasitoids hatched from pupa reared with diet 5 (rice bran and chicken feed) were greater than with diet 1 (rice bran, powdered milk, dry yeast, fish meal, soybean meal, and chicken feed). Additionally, S. gemina offspring from diet 5 treatment had a higher proportion of females. Our results indicated that pupal size resulting from larval diet was an important factor for parasitization.

Encapsulation of house fly larvae (Musca domestica) meal by ionic gelation as a strategy to develop a novel nutritive food ingredient with improved aroma and appearance

The objective of this study was to develop and encapsulate house fly larvae meal (FLM) by ionic gelation to obtain a novel nutritive food ingredient with improved aroma and appearance. Calcium-alginate beads were prepared by ionic gelation with different concentrations of FLM (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8% w/v). FLM-beads presented spheroidal shape with sizes ranged 1700–2250 μm. Ionic gelation technique demonstrated be a good strategy to entrap FLM as observed by electronic microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry studies. The inclusion of FLM in calcium-alginate beads allows to conserve a high content of protein (24% with high content of essential amino acids), lipids (13% with a 68% of unsaturated fatty acids) and high antioxidant capacity (1235–6903 μmol TE/100 g). In addition, the use of alginate as encapsulating material improves aroma of FLM-beads, reducing unpleasant volatiles (only 4 of the 14 volatiles present in FLM were found in the FLM-beads). Finally, microbiological assays indicate that FLM-beads could be considered as ready-to-eat food ingredients. Based on these results, FLM-beads could become a potential food ingredient with high nutritional quality. In addition, the encapsulation of FLM allowed to improve aroma and appearance of FLM, which would be better accepted by the population.

Immune priming with Candida albicans induces a shift in cellular immunity and gene expression of Musca domestica

Many insects are capable of developing enhanced resistance in response to repeated infection with the same pathogen, which is defined “immune priming”. However, little is known in housefly, an ideal insect model for studying immunity. Here, Candida albicans (C. albicans) was used as the pathogen to explore whether housefly larvae are capable of eliciting immune priming. Firstly, we found that 2nd-instar larvae pre-exposure to heat-killed C. albicans could confer protection upon re-infection with C. albicans, as evidenced by the survival rate was higher in C. albicans primed larvae. Moreover, the hemocyte density was increased by priming, but phenoloxidase (PO) activity was not affected. For this reason, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed and found that 145 genes were differentially expressed after priming, in which 22 genes were related to immune response. Then, KEGG enrichment showed that Toll signaling pathway and Phagosome signaling pathway, as well as many other signaling pathways were enriched. Finally, qPCR was performed and found that the expression of 2 pattern recognition receptor (PRR) genes (PGRP-SD-like precursor and lectin subunit alpha-like) and 6 immune effector genes (phormicin, cecropin-A2-like, defensin-1, attacin-A-like, sarcotoxin-1C and lysozyme 1-like) in C. albicans primed larvae was significantly up-regulated after challenge. Taken together, our findings suggested that housefly larvae are capable of eliciting immune priming against C. albicans, and cellular immunity as well as the gene expression, especially genes involved in Toll signaling pathway were induced by immune priming with C. albicans.

The Binary Mixtures of Lambda-Cyhalothrin, Chlorfenapyr, and Abamectin, against the House Fly Larvae, Musca domestica L.

The house fly Musca domestica L. is one of the medical and veterinary pests that can develop resistance to different insecticides. Mixing insecticides is a new strategy for accelerating pest control; furthermore, it can overcome insect resistance to insecticides. This study aims to evaluate three insecticides, chlorfenapyr, abamectin, and lambda-cyhalothrin, individually and their binary mixtures against 2nd instar larvae of M. domestica laboratory strain. Chlorfenapyr exhibited the most toxic effect on larvae, followed by abamectin then the lambda-cyhalothrin. The half-lethal concentrations (LC50) values were 3.65, 30.6, and 94.89 ppm, respectively. These results revealed that the high potentiation effect was the mixture of abamectin/chlorfenapyr in all the mixing ratios. In contrast, the tested combination of lambda-cyhalothrin/abamectin showed an antagonism effect at all mixing ratios against house fly larvae. The total protein, esterases, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and cytochrome P-450 activity were also measured in the current investigation in the larvae treated with chlorfenapyr. Our results indicate that GST may play a role in detoxifying chlorfenapyr in M. domestica larvae. The highest activity of glutathione-S-transferase was achieved in treated larvae with chlorfenapyr, and an increase in cytochrome P-450 activity in the larvae was observed post-treatment with Abamectin/chlorfenapyr.

The Expansion of a Single Bacteriophage Leads to Bacterial Disturbance in Gut and Reduction of Larval Growth in Musca domestica.

The housefly larvae gut microbiota influences larval health and has become an important model to study the ecology and evolution of microbiota–host interactions. However, little is known about the phage community associated with the housefly larval gut, although bacteriophages are the most abundant members of the microbiota and have the potential to shape gut bacterial communities. Changes to bacteriophage composition are associated with disease, but how phages impact insect health remains unclear. We noticed that treating 1-day-old housefly larvae with ~107, ~109, and ~1011 phage particles per ml of bacteriophages led to changes in the growth and development of housefly larvae. Additionally, treating housefly larvae with bacteriophages led to bacterial composition changes in the gut. Changes in the compositions of these gut bacteria are mainly manifested in the increase in harmful bacteria, including Pseudomonas and Providencia and the decrease in beneficial bacteria, including Enterobacter and Klebsiella, after different growth and development periods. The alterations in gut microbiota further influenced the larval growth and development. Collectively, these results indicate that bacteriophages can perturb the intestinal microbiome and impact insect health.

Bioconversion of fresh chicken excreta by housefly larvae (Musca domestica L.) in relation to excreta sterilisation and carbohydrate addition

Housefly larvae can be reared on manure and used as animal feed. Larvae can utilise proteins and easily digestible carbohydrates and have a largely unknown relation with microorganisms. The hypothesis addressed in this study was that larvae compete with microorganisms for easily digestible carbohydrates such as starch. This was tested by adding starch or (non-digestible) fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) to unsterilised or heat-sterilised fresh chicken excreta. Experimental substrates were unsterilised excreta (E), sterilised excreta (sE) with either starch (E + star, sE + star) or FOS (E + FOS, sE + FOS). The highest wet yield (9.7 g) and heaviest larvae (13.2 mg) were on sE + star, followed by E (7.2 g and 8.1 mg). Both E + FOS and sE + FOS had minimal yields and larval weights (0.3 and 0.2 g, 2.9 and 1.7 mg) with E + star intermediate (3.3 g and 7.5 mg). Survival differed between diets, sE and E averaged 70%, sE + star 57%, E + star 33% with 9% for E + FOS and sE + FOS. DM bioconversion decreased from E (3.5%), sE + star (3.1%), sE (2.6%), E + star (1%) to E + FOS and sE + FOS (0.1%). Nitrogen bioconversion was highest on sE + star (9.9%) and E (9.3%), lower on sE (6.6%), E + star (4%) and the lowest on E + FOS and sE + FOS (0.5%). Different substrate temperature profiles during the larval growth period and different larval size distributions were found for the different substrates. The results support the hypothesis that larvae compete with microorganisms for an easily digestible carbohydrate (starch).

Growth Performance and Haematological Parameters of Cockerel Fed House Fly Larvae as a Substitute to Fish Meal

Growth Performance and Haematological Parameters of Cockerel Fed House Fly Larvae as a Substitute to Fish Meal

Efficacy and horizontal transmission of Beauveria bassiana and its synergistic activity with diflubenzuron against the house fly, Musca domestica L.

ABSTRACT Resistance of house flies to chemical insecticides is increasing in the world, thus calling for sustainable control methods of flies. In this study, larvicidal and adulticidal activities of Beauveria bassiana strain DEBI 008 against the house fly were evaluated. Also, we examined the horizontal transmission of the B. bassiana between adult house flies of both sexes. Then, the susceptibility level of immature house flies to diflubenzuron was determined. In addition to synergistic effects, we investigated the combining low doses of B. bassiana and diflubenzuron on the house fly larvae. In the pathogenicity assay using direct application, the mean lethal concentration values (LC50) were estimated for larvae (4.71×106, conidia/ml) and adults (5.65×107, conidia/ml) after 10 days. Based on mean lethal time (LT50) of adult house flies, it was observed that LT50 at the high concentration of 1 × 108 conidia was in the range of 4.89 days with 100% mortality; LT50 at the lowest concentration of 105 conidia ranged from 10 to 15 days with 48% mortality. The results of B. bassiana in horizontal transmission assays on adults also showed that LT50 for the females infected by horizontal transmission was 5.33 days with 100% mortality; meanwhile, for males horizontally infected with 100% mortality, this was 6.11 days. The susceptibility of the house fly population to diflubenzuron (LC50) was 1.21 (mg/ kg), and high mortality was recorded at the highest concentration treated (6 mg/ kg) with 89.33% mortality. Synergistic interactions between B. bassiana and diflubenzuron were observed with the increased mortality rates of the combined treatment. The most significant synergy based on Finney’s method was the combination of LC25 (B. bassiana)+ LC20 (diflubenzuron) (χ 2 = 60.75). Therefore, combined use in a synergistic manner could result in the enhanced biological control by accelerating the B. bassiana strain and diflubenzuron. The results of this study could be, therefore, helpful for integrated pest management to control the house fly.

Nutritional composition of various insects and potential uses as alternative protein sources in animal diets.

The aim of the present investigation is to determine the nutritional composition of various insects and their potential uses as alternative protein sources in animal diets. The feeding industry requires production systems that use accessible resources, such as feed resources, and concentrates on the potential impacts on production yield and nutritional quality. Invertebrate insects, such as black soldier flies, grasshoppers, mealworms, housefly larvae, and crickets, have been used as human food and as feed for nonruminants and aqua culture while for ruminants their use has been limited. Insects can be mass-produced, participating in a circular economy that minimizes or eliminates food- and feed-waste through bioconversion. Although the model for formula-scale production of insects as feed for domestic animals has been explored for a number of years, significant production and transformation to being a conventional protein resource remains to be deeply investigated. This review will focus on the nutritional composition of various insects and their potential use as alternative protein sources, as well as their potential use to promote and support sustainable animal production. Furthermore, nutritional compositions, such as high protein, lauric acid omega 6, and omega 3, and bioactive compounds, such as chitin, are of great potential use for animal feeding.