10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

Black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens L. is a non-vector insect with larvae capable of transforming organic waste streams into high-quality protein biomass. Utilizing these larvae, livestock farmers can significantly cut production costs and boost earnings. For sustainable commercial production of BSF larvae (BSFL) in Nigeria, it is crucial to use organic wastes that are affordable, readily available, and suitable for rearing. Cattle-rumen-content, a by-product of slaughtering processes in abattoirs, and fruit rinds are common wastes generated in large amounts in Nigerian markets. Here, we assessed the suitability of cattle-rumen-content waste (CRC100), fruit wastes (FRW100) and a 1:1 mix of both (CRC50:FRW50) for rearing quality BSF. Five-day-old-larvae (5DOL) were reared on mashed-pulps of each waste-type substrate. Their survival, growth and development were determined in an experiment with commercial chicken feed (CF) as control substrate. BSF survival from 11DOL to 40DOL on CRC100 (98.0 to 93.76%), FRW100 (100 to 86.28%), CRC50:FRW50 (98.0 to 87.52%), CF (100 to 82.50%) was generally high. Larvae reared on CRC50:FRW50 were significantly longer (15.82mm) and wider (4.17mm) than those reared on CRC100 at 15DOL. At 19DOL, the percentage of BSFL on CF substrate that had developed into pre-pupa larvae (57.52%) was significantly higher (p<0.001) than on CRC50:FRW50 (26.32%), FRW100 (13.84%) or CRC100 (2.60%). Days-to-first adult on CF (25.6 days) was comparable (p>0.05) to CRC50:FRW50 (27.8 days) and CRC100 (29.0 days) but not FRW100 (32.0 days). However, crude protein content of 15- and 19-DOL reared on fruit wastes (47.23 and 46.60%) and food wastes (43.02 and 45.42%), respectively were comparable to those of soya meal (44-46%) – a major livestock feed ingredient in the study area. It was concluded that combining both types of waste was more suitable for rearing quality BSF than using each type alone.