There's a Black Fly You Might Actually Love
In our modern world, we're facing a lot of big challenges like climate change, population growth, waste accumulation, and damage to nature. To tackle these issues, it's crucial that we come up with innovative ways to live sustainably and reduce our impact on the planet. One promising solution is the commercial rearing of insects, specifically the black soldier fly (BSF) known as Hermetia illucens. These flies have been successfully raised on a large scale and offer numerous benefits.
BSF eggs are laid in compost, and their larvae feed on the compost material. They are incredibly efficient at reducing solid waste volume by 42-56% and nutrient content by 62%. This helps to minimize the negative impacts of fertilizer runoff on ecosystems.
BSF larvae don't need to be fed as adults, which makes them even more convenient to rear. In the southeastern United States, they can complete three generations in a year. If the larvae are reared in large quantities, they can be used as highly nutritious feed for livestock. They contain essential amino acids, fatty acids, and are an excellent source of calcium. Unlike other insects like crickets and mealworms, BSF larvae don't require additional calcium supplements when used as reptile feed.
One fascinating aspect of BSF's life cycle is that their prepupae naturally migrate away from their waste substrate to a dry area for pupation. This behavior can be manipulated so that the larvae move away from solid waste and into a collection container. Additionally, BSF are resilient and can withstand different environmental stresses like drought, food shortage, and lack of oxygen. This adaptability makes them ideal for large-scale cultivation.
Apart from the economic implications, the cultivation of BSF has the potential to improve public and environmental health worldwide. By reducing solid waste, providing a sustainable protein source, and being relatively easy to rear, BSF offers a promising solution to multiple global challenges.
BSF larvae are incredible waste reducers. They can significantly decrease household waste by 65-75%, feeding on a wide range of materials like restaurant waste, fecal sludge, and animal feed. Their rapid consumption of waste surpasses that of bacteria, reducing odors, disease risks, and greenhouse gas emissions. They also play a role in controlling disease-carrying insects like the common housefly, Musca domestica in compost.
Using BSF, alongside effective recycling programs, can be a valuable solution to address public health, land use, environmental degradation, and the high cost of waste disposal. Landfills and incineration are common waste disposal methods, but they have limitations and negative consequences. With urbanization and changing consumer behavior, improper waste management can lead to toxic runoff, water and air pollution, and increased disease transmission. Low-income countries, with a higher proportion of organic waste, can benefit greatly from alternative waste management approaches.
Mismanagement of solid waste has severe environmental implications. Decomposition releases greenhouse gases like methane, with landfills contributing to a significant portion of global emissions. As cities produce more waste each year, the problem is set to worsen. BSF cultivation can also address environmental challenges in food production. Industrial agriculture accounts for a large portion of water usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and land occupation. Livestock farming, which relies heavily on feed production and generates substantial waste, contributes to these issues. BSF can help reduce livestock waste, serve as feed, and close nutrient cycles in agriculture.
“Many people describe them as “delicious,” so reducing the social stigma of entomophagy may be an important campaign for the environment.”
Rearing BSF can not only contribute to reducing waste, but they can also close the ecological loop by being used as food themselves, for both animals and humans. Comparing various protein alternatives, insects and soybeans were found to have the lowest environmental impact. Insects have a better feed-to-protein conversion ratio than cattle and pigs, emit fewer greenhouse gases and ammonia, and produce high-quality proteins with essential amino acids and good fatty acids. However, social acceptance and the need for processing insects into powdered meals remain challenges. Overcoming the stigma associated with consuming insects could be crucial for their wider adoption as an environmentally friendly protein source. Many people describe them as “delicious,” so reducing the social stigma of entomophagy may be an important campaign for the environment.
Overall, BSF larvae offer multiple benefits, from waste reduction and disease control to sustainable protein production. By harnessing their potential, we can make significant strides in improving public and environmental health.
BSF larvae are true champions when it comes to devouring human waste and industrial by-products. Not only that, but they also pack a powerful punch in terms of their nutritional value, surpassing many other protein sources. These versatile insects have endless potential for revolutionizing agriculture, food production, and waste management. By integrating BSF larvae cultivation into these industries, we can make remarkable strides towards sustainable living. The positive impact would be far-reaching, benefiting biodiversity, the environment, and the overall well-being of humans and other species. It's time to unlock the transformative potential of BSF and create a better future for all.
Nissa Coit holds a Master’s degree in Entomology from the University of California at Davis and a B.S. in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her academic background is in apiculture; she studied honey bees in both undergraduate and graduate school, where she applied her biological training to practical management and research of honey bee hives to learn about honey bee biology, behavior, ecology and management. However, she realized that while honey bees are important to pollinate conventional food systems, focusing on just one aspect of the problem would not help fix the systemic threats we are facing. Nissa currently works at Sterling College as a Learning Network Associate and Ecology Educator. In her free time she enjoys all sorts of handicrafts like pottery, sewing, knitting, and candle-making.
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