Research and industrialisation of Hermetia illucens L. in China

Abstract

The larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens L., are commonly associated with decaying organic wastes. Over the past 15 years, investigators in China have conducted extensive research exploring the use of BSF larvae to recycle organic materials as a means to protect the environment, while producing products of value, such as protein and bioenergy. Initial efforts were based on a BSF strain from the USA. However, since then, H. illucens strains from specimens collected in Hubei and Guangdong Provinces have been established and used as models to explore the use of this species in sustainable agriculture. China has played an instrumental role in developing an in-door breeding method using a quartz-iodine lamp rather than depend on natural sunlight. This discovery has allowed the establishment of in-door BSF colonies in regions throughout the world where abiotic conditions (i.e. cold temperatures) are preventative. Researchers in China paved the way for using microbes as a means to enhance BSF production including, enhancing BSF egg-laying as well as waste reduction. Furthermore, bacteria from BSF gut or waste can be cultured and used to promote BSF growth, shorten conversion time, and enhanced conversion efficacy. Recent efforts have demonstrated BSF larvae can degrade antibiotics as well as suppress noxious odours in livestock manure. Due to the efforts of research on BSF in China, numerous companies that recycle organic waste at a large scale (>20 tonnes waste digested/day), have been established. Resulting products include insect powder, and live BSFL that can be used as animal feed ingredients for livestock (e.g. eels and frogs), while protecting the environment. Future work will decipher the mechanisms regulating BSF larval conversion of organic waste so that the system can be optimised. However, efforts are still needed at the government level to establish quality assurance standards if this process is truly to become established as an industry in China.