Understanding the life cycle and benefits of black soldier fly and its prospect in Bangladesh

Abstract: Black soldier fly Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), an insect that most commonly used as animal feed, consume copious amounts of organic waste to develop their bodies, which are composed of 40–48% protein, 30–38% fat, and a variety of vital minerals. While the higher fat content of black soldier fly may be a necessary component for the manufacture of organic fertilizer, the higher protein content may be utilized to either fully or partially replace the very costly fishmeal. In addition, the black soldier fly eliminates some hazardous bacteria and insect pests and has a better capacity to convert organic waste. The population of world continues to rise, hence there is a rising demand for animal proteins, surpassing supply and leading to the production of organic waste. Larvae may also remove trace elements like copper and zinc, and produce high-value products with low quantities of heavy metals. There are new and inventive applications for black soldier fly byproducts in fields like bioplastics, medicine, and renewable energy. Black soldier fly pre pupae samples were processed and examined by a number of researchers in Bangladesh to determine their proximate compositions, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids. Pre-pupae of cultivated black soldier flies have a significant concentration of certain minerals (Ca, Ni, and Co), suggesting that they might serve as a valuable source of mineralized animal feed. Significant amounts of both necessary and non-essential amino acids were found in the pre-pupae, indicating that the cultured black soldier fly was in a healthy state. Pre-pupae were found to be a potential source of essential fatty acids. Their cultivation required minimal resources, making it affordable for local farmers. Additionally, with the global rise in demand for insect-based feed, Bangladesh could position itself as a supplier in this emerging industry. Expansion of this sector could drive job creation and improve food security. The aim of this review is to understand the prospects of this emerging technology, evaluates its constraints and respond to open research questions by means of lab scale experiments in Bangladesh. 

Keywords: Hermetia illucens, rearing, challenges, aquaculture, animal feed, waste management