Article by Bee Harris, PWLCTMN
Hermetia illucens or commonly known as the soldier fly is an insect that has brought much ecological attention from the standpoint of its role in reducing/converting waste and increasing sustainability in agriculture.
The soldier fly measures approximately an inch in length. Its coloring is metallic black with transparent wings and white legs. It has no mouthparts from which to bite and suck. It has a typical insect cycle of: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. As an adult its purpose is to lay eggs in decaying organic matter. As larvae –or maggots –they are considered voracious eaters. They consume organic waste and turn it into simpler compounds. This reduces organic waste volume and odor.
Soldier fly larvae thrive in compost piles, manure heaps, rotting vegetation and –much to my surprise –my outhouse! Not a comforting place to be for us – lol –we are thankful they have no mouths. Due to their ability to adapt to different environments, they are an important part of many ecosystems.
The larvae are high in protein and fat –a great nutritional source for animals. Think livestock feed and aquaculture. Experiments have been done on adding dried powdered larvae to pig food. Pigs prefer their food with the added supplement –consisting 42% crude protein, 35% ether extract and 5% calcium than soybean meal with no added fat.
The larvae also add a high source of nutrient excrement –frass –to soil. Frass is a natural fertilizer that benefits plants without adding any synthetic fertilizer.
In regions where there is poor sanitation –and wastewater treatment facilities are found lacking -diseases such as diarrhea increase. Here the black soldier fly larvae can be used to reduce dry fecal material. The larvae reduce Salmonella 6log10 (definition: a 1 corresponds to a reduction in concentration by a factor of 10) in human feces in about a week.
In recent years, scientists have begun studying the capability of insects to reduce/biodegrade plastics in our environment. The ever resourceful Black Soldier Fly is one insect that scientists are focusing their attention as a possible green way of reducing and managing plastic waste.
In conclusion, the fly larvae can reduce organic waste, be valuable as a supplemental food source, and may potentially be used on large waste management systems.
So, as you tend to our forests and your garden and you come upon a soldier fly –or its larvae– give them a thumbs up –they are your magical elves in disguise.
Bibliography:
- Tomberlin, J.K., and Sheppard, D.C. (2002) Journal of Entomological Science, 37(4), 345-352
- Lalander, C., Diener, S., Magri, M.E., Zurbrugg, C., and Lindstrom, A. (2013). Science of the Total Environment, 458-460, 312-318.
- Newton, G.L., Booram, C.V., Barker, R.W., and Hale, O.M. (1977) Journal of Animal Science, 44(3), 395-400.
- Diener, S., Zurbrugg, C., and Tockner, K. (2009) Waste Management and Research, 27(6), 603-610.
- Holmes, L.A., Vanlaerhoven, S.L., and Tomberlin, J.K. (2013). Environmental Entomology, 42(2), 370-374.
- 2020 Apr;49(2):151-162. doi: 10.1007/s13744-019-00719-z. Epub 2019 Nov 8.
A Review of the Use of Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), to Compost Organic Waste in Tropical Regions
This article was published in the Buzz Newletter 1-22-24