Development of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) on vegetable waste

Hermetia illucens (Diptera Stratiomyidae), also known as black soldier fly (BSF), is a fly of wide interest as alternative source of protein. BSF has a high content of protein (nearly 40%), fatty acids (nearly 30%) and is rich in calcium and phosphorous. Larvae develop on wide range of decaying organic materials; they can grow up to double their weight and are consider good bioconverter. As the use of this species as alternative source of protein in food or feed is strongly interesting, and data on its development on vegetable materials are poor, we investigated the performance of BSF on the following substrates: 1) Standard diet; 2) Three selected fruits; 3) Three selected vegetables; 4) Mix of the previous; 5) No-selected vegetables discarded by a market. Significant differences were detected in larval final weight and length of larval period. Larvae from vegetables showed the lower final weight (0,158±0,06mg), while the ones from fruits and vegetable were similar to the control. Larval lifetime was the longest on larvae reared on fruits (54d), and the shortest on standard diet. Mean pupal weights differed significantly among diets. Pupae from standard diet and market waste-mix were heavier (155,71±2,37 and 148,2±6,62mg); pupae from vegetables showed the minimum mean weight (81,86±2,18mg). The pupal length from the market mix-vegetables differed significantly from other substrates with higher values. BSF was able to develop on the tested substrates, but the differences in length period and final weight of the larvae/pupae have to be considered for mass production as protein source.