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The use of low-grade substrates can improve the sustainability of insect-based feed production but also poses food safety risks.

1. Due to the increasing global demand for more sustainably produced animal protein, there is an intensive search for feeds to replace soybeans. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) appear to have great potential for replacing soybeans in poultry diets. The main objective of this study was to determine if the nutritional value of BSFL is superior to soybeans when feeding organic broilers, since smaller amounts of BSFL could replace the soybean content in the feed, thus saving even more resources. 2. Eighty Hubbard S757, a slow growing organic broiler type, were fattened for 63 d, spending the last 49 d on one of five diets. Two soybean cake- and soybean oil-based diets (SS, SS-) were compared with three diets based on partially defatted BSFL meal and BSFL fat from two origins (AA-, AB-, BB-). Different from diet SS, diets SS-, AA-, AB-and BB- were designed with approximately 20% less lysine and methionine. Growth (n = 16), metabolisability, body nitrogen retention, carcase and meat quality (n = 8) were evaluated. 3. Broilers of the insect-based feeding groups, AA- and AB-, grew similarly well compared to those of group SS. They also retained more nitrogen in the body than those fed BB- and SS-. Breast meat yield was higher with AA- and AB- than with BB- and SS-, but still lower than with SS. Dietary variations in physicochemical meat quality were of low practical relevance. Diet BB- resulted in a more yellow skin and meat. The fatty acid profile of the breast meat lipids reflected the high lauric acid proportion of the BSFL lipids, resulting in up to 80 times higher proportions than when feeding the soybean-based diets. 4. The results indicate that high-quality BSFL, depending on their origin, may indeed be superior to soybean protein, but that the meat lipids from BSFL-fed broilers can contain significant amounts of lauric acid, which, from a human nutrition perspective, could have a negative impact on meat quality.

To increase the sustainability of egg production, alternatives to soybean in poultry nutrition are intensively searched for. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) could have a great potential, but the comparative protein value to soybean is not well known. The main objective of this study was to facilitate this comparison by using experimental diets clearly limited in calculated supply of sulphurous amino acids and lysine. Fifty laying hens (Lohmann Brown Classic), aged 40 weeks, were fed one of five diets for 7 weeks (n=10). Two diets were based on soybean cake and oil (SS, SS-) as protein and energy sources, and three diets contained partially defatted BSFL meal and fat from two different origins (AA-, AB-, BB-). Different from SS, all other diets were designed to be deficient in methionine and lysine in relation to requirements by >20%. The realised supply with total sulphurous amino acids and lysine was indeed superior with SS even though this diet was analysed to be more deficient in methionine than the BSFL-based diets. Despite the calculated deficiency in limiting amino acids, laying performance of the hens of all groups was similar and ranged between 93 and 97%. Similarly, egg mass, daily feed intake and feed efficiency were not influenced by the BSFL-based diets. The yolks of group BB- were more intensely coloured compared to the others indicating a difference between BSFL origins. Yolks of SS-, but not of the BSFL-based diets, had lower contents of dry matter and ether extract than those of SS. Including BSFL into the diet did not influence the odour of the eggs tested in scrambled form. The results show that soybean-based feeds for laying hens may be completely replaced by BSFL-based feeds and suggest that the recommendations for amino acid supply of laying hens might need revision.

Bioconversion of aflatoxin-contaminated agri-food by-products with fly larvae into animal feed

Insect farming is on the rise to becoming a sustainable and economically viable food and feed industry. The black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens L.) is poised as key species of interest due to its natural bioconversion properties. However, genetic screening and management is currently overlooked. Here, we present the first high coverage (22×) genome-wide assessment of a global sample of BSF individuals (n=54) belonging to both domesticated and wild lineages. We identify a pronounced population structure within BSF explained primarily by captivity status. Phylogenetic reconstruction reveals a deep divergence in BSF lineages. Patterns of introgression are strikingly absent between diverged lineages of wild and domesticated BSF. We also show that commercial activity is dominated by a particular lineage whilst wild populations harbour significant genetic diversity. Recent domestication has had a significant impact on shaping the genomic architecture of captive populations and has left signatures of selective sweeps throughout the genome. This study not only sheds light on the process of domestication but highlights the importance of genetic screening and the introduction of breeding programs to this novel industry.

Due to increasing welfare and population, demands for more sustainable protein sources are rising in today’s society. Insects are considered such an alternative as they have short life cycles, high feed conversion and can be grown on low-value feedstocks. Particularly the black soldier fly H. illucens is able to convert low-value organic side streams into high-value biomass composed of proteins, lipids and chitin. Therefore, H. illucens larvae can be used for waste reduction paired with the production of high-value biomass, bringing more circularity in our food- and agricultural industry. Although the black soldier fly has been subject of extensive research and suggested as the crown jewel of an emerging insect-livestock sector, characterisations of its genetic resources, crucial for future breeding progress, have been neglected so far. Recent studies using wild and captive strains demonstrate that there is remarkable genetic variation across origins, including signatures of domestication. However, it still remains to be elucidated how genetic differentiation may translate into distinct phenotypic traits, such as economically interesting larval performance and bioconversion. In this study 10 captive H. illucens strains were obtained and reared using a standardised protocol. The strains were genotyped based on the 15 microsatellite markers developed by Kaya et al. Subsequently, larvae were reared on 3 different diets and larval performance and conversion efficiency was calculated. This allowed to investigate the influence and potential interactions of genotype and diet on these economically interesting traits.

Due to increasing welfare and population, demands for more sustainable protein sources are rising in today’s society. Insects are considered such an alternative as they have short life cycles, high feed conversion and can be grown on low-value feedstocks. Particularly the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens is able to convert low-value organic side streams into high-value biomass composed of proteins, lipids and chitin. Therefore, H. illucens larvae can be used for waste reduction paired with the production of high-value biomass, bringing more circularity in our food- and agricultural industry. Although the black soldier fly has been subject of extensive research and suggested as the crown jewel of an emerging insect-livestock sector, characterisations of its genetic resources, crucial for future breeding progress, have been neglected so far. Recent studies using wild and captive strains demonstrate that there is remarkable genetic variation across origins, including signatures of domestication. However, it still remains to be elucidated how genetic differentiation may translate into distinct phenotypic traits, such as economically interesting larval performance and bioconversion. In this study 10 captive H. illucens strains were obtained and reared using a standardized protocol. The strains were genotyped based on the 15 microsatellite markers developed by Kaya et al. (2021). Subsequently, larvae were reared on 3 different diets and larval performance and conversion efficiency was calculated. This allowed to investigate the influence and potential interactions of genotype and diet on these economically interesting traits.

For decades, the honeybee, Apis mellifera, has suffered from severe colony losses due to the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor. Routine chemical treatments fail to mediate equilibrium and often comprise substantial trade-offs like side-effects on the host, parasite-resistance and residues in bee products. Research on alternative, minimally invasive yet resilient measures is scarce. Lower mite tolerance to high temperatures compared to its host has the potential to kill adult parasites or interrupt reproduction within bee brood cells, but readily implementable applications have so far been lacking. We investigated a high-tech approach based on controlled interval-heating of wires integrated into individual combs beeswax foundations. Three apiaries, each with an average of six control and treatment colonies were monitored for two years. Seasonal colony growth dynamics were documented (estimates of worker and brood populations plus pollen and honey stores) and complemented by regular tracking of Varroa infestations. Impacts on various brood stages were evaluated by comprehensive digital brood assessment. Moreover, we conducted dedicated transcriptomic and pathogen profiling for pupae and nurse bee samples. Our field study proves that this innovative heat-treatment permits maintaining mite levels below critical thresholds across seasons. Winter reference-curing (oxalic acid) applied to both groups revealed similar infestations of heat-treated and control colonies, the latter previously being subjected to summer-treatments (formic acid). However, increased mortality particularly of early non-target brood stages, corroborated by altered pupal gene expression, appears to trigger excessive brood compensation of heat-treated colonies, overall translating into relatively decreased worker populations during peak growth, and consequently lower honey harvests. Further refining computational sensitivity of the highly promising prototype may adequately enable this system to ach

Currently, there is a great interest in finding alternative protein and energy sources to replace soybean-based feeds in poultry diets. The main objective of the present study was to completely replace soybean in layer diets with defatted meal and fat from black soldier fly larvae without adverse effects. For this purpose, 5 × 10 Lohmann Brown Classic hens were fed either a soybean-based diet or diets based on defatted black soldier fly larvae meal and fat from 2 producers (1 commercial, 1 small-scale) operating with different rearing substrates, temperatures, and larvae processing methods (10 hens/diet). The data obtained included nutrient composition of larvae meals and diets, amino acid digestibility (6 hens/diet), and metabolizability, performance and egg quality (all 10 hens/diet). In addition, the acceptance of the 4 larvae-based diets was tested against the soybean-based diet in a 6-day choice feeding situation (10 hens/treatment). The nutritional value of the larvae-based diets was equivalent to the soybean-based diet in hens with a laying performance of 98%. Although average feed intake was not significantly different over the 7 experimental weeks, the diets based on larvae feeds from the small-scale production appeared to be slightly less accepted in a choice situation than the soy-based diet and those with larvae from commercial origin. This was more likely the effect of the larvae fat rather than that of the larvae protein meal. In addition, the commercial larvae material was superior to that from the small-scale production concerning supply with digestible sulfur-containing amino acids (548 vs. 511 mg/day) and lysine (792 vs. 693 mg/day), egg weight (67 vs. 63 g), daily egg mass (66 vs. 61 g/day) and, in tendency, feed efficiency. The results indicate that soybean-based feeds can be replaced completely by black soldier fly meal and fat in diets of high-performing layers. However, because of nutritional differences between the larvae materials of differe

Substitution of soy components – Does feeding diets based on Hermetia illucens larvae impair growth performance, carcass and meat quality of organic broilers?

Greenhouse gas emissions during black soldier fly larval development in relation to different feeding substrates.

The global demand for soybean as a feed ingredient is high, but its use is controversially discussed in Europe (1). One of the options for replacing soybean being currently researched is insect protein meal. So far, in Europe, insect meal is not allowed as an ingredient of poultry diets. Howeveq since meal from some insect species is already approved for pets, aquaculture and even human consumption, an approval for poultry is expected soon. For animal nutrition, especially the larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF, Hernetia illucens) are considered promising because they can be reared locally e.g. on former food products and the protein is rich in lysine and methionine (2). Still it is not yet known, ifBSF rneal can fully replace soybean protein and if the larval fat, prevalent in the larvae, would be suitable to be fed to poultry too. Therefore, the replacement with insect material was tested in high yielding layers fed an organic diet type.

This study aimed to gain insight into the microbial quality, safety and bacterial community composition of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) reared at different facilities on a variety of organic waste streams. For seven rearing cycles, both on laboratory-scale and in large-scale facilities at several locations, the microbiota of the larvae was studied. Also samples of the substrate used and the residue (= leftover substrate after rearing, existing of non-consumed substrate, exuviae and faeces) were investigated. Depending on the sample, it was subjected to plate counting, Illumina Miseq sequencing and/or detection of specific food pathogens. The results revealed that the substrates applied at the various locations differed substantially in microbial numbers as well as in the bacterial community composition. Furthermore, little similarity was observed between the microbiota of the substrate and that of the larvae reared on that substrate. Despite substantial differences between the microbiota of larvae reared at several locations, 48 species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were shared by all larvae, among which most belonged to the phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Although the substrate is assumed to be an important source of bacteria, our results suggest that a variety of supposedly interacting factors-both abiotic and biotic-are likely to affect the microbiota in the larvae. In some larvae and/or residue samples, potential foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella and Bacillus cereus were detected, emphasising that decontamination technologies are required when the larvae are used in feed, just as for other feed ingredients, or eventually in food.

The larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), are promising candidates to be utilized in alternative organic waste management and for fish and livestock feed production. The scalability of this technology in Ghana will depend on a steady source of large numbers of BSF larvae. The objectives of this study were to identify the most attractive organic manure dumps or heaps in the study area for trapping wild BSF egg clutches and assess the effect of local environmental conditions on the trapping and laboratory rearing of BSF. The study compared the number of egg clutch trapped at different microhabitats including piggery, chicken and sheep waste dumps and on a compost heap. The piggery dump waste was the most suitable site for trapping BSF egg clutches. No egg clutch was deposited nearby poultry and sheep waste microhabitats. Results showed no differences in temperature between microhabitats during egg trapping but relative humidity differed between poultry, sheep and compost, however this did not have any effect on egg clutch trapping. No significant differences in temperature and humidity were observed during larval rearing. Significant differences in weight and length of larvae from both piggery and compost sites were observed on days 5 and 10 after egg hatch. A small scale laboratory colony rearing has been successfully established in Ghana. The design of the larval breeding system appears to be suitable for respective up-scaling that could provide sufficient larval quantities for composting organic waste and producing feed components for livestock and fish.

Die Sojabohne ist in Form von Mehl und Öl der Hauptlieferant für Protein und Fett in der Geflügelfütterung. Ihr Import für den Einsatz in der Tierernährung in Europa wird jedoch aufgrund der negativen Einflüsse auf die Umwelt kontrovers diskutiert. Infolgedessen ist die Erforschung nachhaltiger, alternativer Protein- und Fettquellen wichtig, die zusätzlich nicht mit der Produktion von Lebensmitteln konkurrieren. Die aktuell am häufigsten diskutierten Alternativen bilden verschiedene Insektenarten. Bisher sind sie in Europa für den Einsatz in Futtermitteln für Haustiere und in der Aquakultur zugelassen. Die Zulassung für den Gebrauch in der Geflügelfütterung wird ebenfalls in naher Zukunft erwartet. Im Bereich der Geflügelhaltung wird derzeit das grösste Potential in den Larven der schwarzen Waffenfliege (Black Soldier Fly, BSF, Hermetia illucens) gesehen. Hierbei liegt der Fokus aktuell auf dem Einsatz des entfetteten Insektenmehls, während das in grossen Anteilen in den Larven enthaltene Fett nur für industrielle Zwecke verwendet wird. Aus diesem Grund war das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie herauszufinden, in welchem Mass Sojakomponenten im Futtermittel von Legehennen durch das Mehl und das Fett der BSF-Larven ersetzt werden können und wie sich dies auf verschiedene Leistungsparameter der Tiere auswirkt.

There is a great interest in integrating insects into livestock nutrition as a replacement for soybean, but research about the feeding value of insect protein meal and fat of larvae grown on different substrates is rare. In the present study, 5×10 laying hens were fed defatted black soldier fly (BSF) meal and larval fat from two contrasting substrates (preconsumer food waste and feed grade material). Feed intake, body weight and laying performance did not differ during 26 days of treatment feeding. Egg weight and egg mass were most favorable with larvae grown on feed grade material and soybean oil. These results show that the larval fat can be considered as a valuable feed ingredient as well and that larval protein seems to have a high protein value.

This study aimed to gain insight into the microbial quality, safety and bacterial community composition of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) reared at different facilities on a variety of organic waste streams. For seven rearing cycles, both on laboratory-scale and in large-scale facilities at several locations, the microbiota of the larvae was studied. Also samples of the substrate used and the residue (= leftover substrate after rearing, existing of non-consumed substrate, exuviae and faeces) were investigated. Depending on the sample, it was subjected to plate counting, Illumina Miseq sequencing and/or detection of specific food pathogens. The results revealed that the substrates applied at the various locations differed substantially in microbial numbers as well as in the bacterial community composition. Furthermore, little similarity was observed between the microbiota of the substrate and that of the larvae reared on that substrate. Despite substantial differences between the microbiota of larvae reared at several locations, 48 species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were shared by all larvae, among which most belonged to the phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Although the substrate is assumed to be an important source of bacteria, our results suggest that a variety of supposedly interacting factors-both abiotic and biotic-are likely to affect the microbiota in the larvae. In some larvae and/or residue samples, potential foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella and Bacillus cereus were detected, emphasising that decontamination technologies are required when the larvae are used in feed, just as for other feed ingredients, or eventually in food.

Aims: To assess the effect of organic waste and their formulations on the development of the black soldier fly larvae. Study Design: The experiment used one time feeding (lump feeding) of feedstocks obtained from organic market waste fractions and their combinations. The arrangement of composting containers followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), replicated three times. Place and Duration of Study: The study took 3 months and was conducted at the BSF laboratory of the Soil and Environmental Science Research Centre, Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission in Accra, Ghana, West Africa. Methodology: Two hundred and forty (240) hand counted 5 day old BSF larvae were inoculated onto 2 kg each of organic market waste fractions and their combinations in 60 L plastic containers covered with a mesh. Equal quantities of the above feedstock without larvae served as control. The arrangement of the containers followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), replicated three times. Moisture content, larval growth parameters, temperature, relative humidity, prepupal development were recorded. Results: Whiles moisture contents of most of the feedstock decreased gradually over the trial period, that of fruit waste only, fruit waste + corn husk and fruit waste + vegetable waste increased with time and was higher at the end of the trial than at the beginning. Composting temperature in all the feed stocks never reached the thermophilic stage and was between 29 – 38°C. The lowest temperature of 28.88°C was recorded in the mixture of vegetable waste and fruit waste whiles the highest, 37.55°C was recorded in the mixture of corn husk and uncooked food waste compost. Composting humidity ranged between 59 and 87% with significant differences being observed across treatments on days 0, 10, 15, 20 and 25. Larvae reared on a mixture of all the feedstock was significantly the heaviest (176.66 mg). Significant differences were