The Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia Illucens, as a Manure Management / Resource Recovery Tool

Insects play a significant role in recycling many forms of waste and other accumulated nutrients in the environment. Attempts to harness the power of insects for manure management have not been particularly successful or widely adopted. Although additional research is needed, the current state of the technology for utilizing the black soldier fly (Hermatia) for processing hen and swine manure appears to make it commercially feasible. Hermetia consume manure and convert the nutrients into larval insect mass, which contains 40+% protein and 30+% fat; thus a potential high protein, high energy animal feed. In the process, manure mass is reduced about 50%, with even greater reductions in N and P mass. Additional environmental benefits occur, and a recent analysis suggests that Hermetia manure management could increase net revenue by $25,000! per year per layer house. For all applications, needed improved technology is associated with the adult life cycle and providing eggs throughout the year, and providing a warm environment for the larvae during winter. For conventional swine barn applications, economical methods for removal of excess liquid (urine) are also needed.