Survival and Reproductive Value of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) on Vegetable and Fruits Waste Rearing Substrate

Abstract

Hermetia illucens, black soldier fly has been a topic of interest in the ecological research world for many years especially in terms of its role as a bioconverter agent. Bioconversion process through black soldier fly represents a potential valuable solution to two problems: organic waste management on the one hand and on the other, the rising global demand for animal feed (transform organic waste into valuable animal feedstuff in the form of their last larval stage or prepupa). In this context, the aim of this study is to assess the survival and reproductive value of black soldier fly reared on vegetable and fruits waste. All treatments were constructed under laboratory conditions at 26±1°C temperature and 68%±0.5% relative humidity. The adult cage was placed near the window that allows sunlight to enter. Data were collected and analyzed based on an age-stage, two-sex life table. The intrinsic rates of increase (r) were 0.06877 and 0.05772 per days, finite rate of increase (λ) were 1.0712 and 1.0594 per days, net reproduction rate (R0) were 25.88 and 19.99 offspring, and mean generation time (T) were 46.403 and 50.00 days on vegetable and fruits waste, respectively. Our results demonstrated high mortality in the larval period that probably caused by high levels of water produced by vegetables and fruits waste during the experiments.