STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSECT SPECIES HERMETIA ILLUCENS (BLACK SOLDIER FLY)
Authors: Pestsov Georgiy V. , Tretyakova Anastasia V. , Prokudina Olga V. , Butenko Sergey A. 
Published: August 2023

Background. The problem of agricultural waste disposal is currently very relevant. In the Russian Federation, the agro-industrial complex annually produces hundreds of millions of tons of waste that must be disposed of and used rationally. Organic waste from agricultural production and farm animal manure can be effectively disposed of using directed microbiological fermentation and larvae of the insect Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly). As a result of the activity of the enzyme system of black lion larvae and specific microflora, agricultural waste turns into zoohumus with a high content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements, which can be used as an organic fertilizer that improves the quality of the soil, and the biomass of larvae for animal feed and for obtaining protein concentrate and fat.

Purpose. To determine the optimal temperature conditions for the cultivation of the insect species Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly) on various types of substrates, to study the effect of the substrate composition on the production of larval biomass, protein concentrate and fat.

Materials and Methods. The research work was carried out in the microbiological laboratory of the Center for Technological Excellence “Advanced Chemical and Biotechnology”, laboratories of the Department of Biology and Technologies of Living Systems, Faculty of Natural Sciences of the Tula State Pedagogical University named after L. N. Tolstoy and insectaria LLC “Lvinka”.

To study the effect of the feed composition on the growth and development of the larvae of the insect species Hermetia illucens, substrates from various agricultural, food and animal waste were used. To determine the influence of temperature and humidity on the development of larvae, thermostats and insectarium rooms were used.

Results. The study of the effect of various solid organic waste on the biomass of live and dried larvae showed that the larvae of the insect H. illucens grew and developed better on food waste consisting of meat and fish waste, as well as plant food waste. Larvae developed worse on plant residues. This is due to the fact that these wastes contain a large amount of cellulose and much less nutrients in their composition, therefore, on a substrate of this composition, the larvae gained biomass worse. The optimal temperature for the cultivation of insect larvae of the species H. illucens is t-22°C. The ratio of protein and fat in the larvae of the insect H. illucens depends on the composition of the feed. In those types of feed where protein predominates, the content of this component in the larvae is high. For example, when using food meat waste, the content of protein concentrate reaches 595 g/kg, fat only 323 g/ kg, and when using vegetable waste containing a large amount of carbohydrates, more fat and less protein are produced.

Concisions. As a result of the research work carried out, it was possible to study the influence of environmental factors on the growth and development of the insect species H. illucens (black soldier fly), and to select favorable conditions for the development of larval biomass. Optimal substrates were selected for the cultivation of larvae of the insect species H. illucens. The most suitable substrates for the production of protein concentrate and fat were also determined.