Black Soldier Fly Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) and The Future Alternative to Aqua Feed & Seafood Waste Management in Maine

There are over 120,000 fly species on the planet and many are known to be a nuisance. However, some flies are well suited for remediating biological waste, such as the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.). The larvae of this species are nutrient rich, grow rapidly, convert organic wastes to vermicompost while suppressing pathogens and pests, and contain a number of potentially valuable biologically active compounds. Therefore, the primary goal of our research project is to use H. illucens larvae as a source for aquaculture feed. This may benefit the environment by reducing the amount of wild-caught fish used for feed. Another great attribute, is their ability to suppress fly species and pathogens in feeding sites. Since adults do not feed, there is minimal public risk when used in bio-remediation operations. Larval development on seven different seafood wastes for 16 weeks; dry sea cucumber, quahog, crab meal, wet sea cucumber, quahog, sea urchin, and fin fish. Chicken feed was used as the control since successful development is seen in the breeding colony. Feeding on fin fish trimmings and wet sea cucumber resulted in the highest larval survival and good weight gain. Larvae fed on crab meal also grew to the comparable size, but suffered much heavier mortality. However, low cost of this waste may still make it a commercially viable option.

Faculty Mentor: Andrei Alyokhin

Co-authors: Dylan Cunningham