In order by year and by alphabetical Article Title:

2008

“Development of Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Larvae Fed Dairy Manure” Myers, Heidi M.1; Tomberlin, Jeffery K.; Lambert, Barry D.; Kattes, David.  Environmental Entomology. Volume 37, Number 1, February 2008 , pp. 11-15(5).  Pay Article:

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/esa/envent/2008/00000037/00000001/art00002

2007

“Fish Offal Recycling by the Black Soldier Fly Produces a Foodstuff High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids.” Hilare S. Newton, Sheppard, Tomberlin.et al.  Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. Volume 38 Issue 2.  Pages 309-313.  May 2007

“Fly prepupae as a feedstuff for rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.” St-Hilaire S, Shepard C, Tomberlin JK, Irving S, Newton L, McGuire MA, Mosley EE, Hardy RW, Sealey W, 2007. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, 38:59-67.

2006

“Insect and Manure Management in Poultry Systems: Elements Relative to Food Safety and Nuisance Issues” Meyer, H.J., Roeder, Richard. 2006. Link

2005

“Black Soldier Fly and Others for Value-Added Manure Management.” Dr. Craig Sheppard. University of Georgia. Tifton, GA. 2005

“Compositional, Microbiological, and Digestibility Analysis of the Protein of Larva-Meal from Hermetia Illucens in Antioquia, Colombia.” Gloria Patricia Arango Gutiérrez; Rodrigo Antonio Vergara Ruiza y Humberto Mejía Véleza.

“Using the Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia Illucens, as a Value-Added Tool for the Management of Swine Manure.” Newton. Sheppard.  Report for Mike Williams. 6 June 2005. Free Article:

http://www.pc.ctc.edu/coe/new%20pdfs/BlackSoldierFly_manure_control_mar1706%20(2).pdf

2004 and Earlier:

“Dried Hermetia Illucens Larvae Meal as a Supplement for Swine.” G.L. Newton. C.V. Booram. R.W. Barker and O.M. Hale. Journal of Animal Science 1977. 44:395-400.

“Dried Hermetia illucens larvae (Stratiomyidae) as a feed additive for poultry.” Hale OM, 1973.  Journal of the Georgia Entomological Society 8:16-20.

“House Fly and Lesser Fly Control Using the Black Soldier Fly in Manure Management Systems For Caged Laying Hens” Sheppard, Craig. Environmental Entomology, Volume 12, Number 5, October 1983 , pp. 1439-1442(4). Entomological Society of America

“House fly oviposition inhibition by larvae of Hermetia illucens, the black soldier fly.” Bradley, S. W. & D. C. Sheppard. 1984. J. Chem. Ecol. 10: 853-859.

“Lekking Behavior of the Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)” Tomberlin, Jeffery K., D. Craig Sheppard. Florida Entomologist.  Pg 83 – 4.  Dec 2001.

“Manure solids conversion to insect biomass(Black Soldier Fly Larvae) for value-added processing into animal feed protein meal and oil system.“  Sheppard, C., W. Watson, L. Newton, and G. Burtle. 2003.Proceedings of the North Carolina Animal Waste Management Workshop. Research Triangle Park, NC. October 16-17, 2003. Pgs. 48-53.

“Oviposition of the Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens(Diptera: Stratiomyidae): Eggs, Masses, Timing, and Site Characteristics” Booth, Donald C.; Sheppard, Craig. Environmental Entomology, Volume 13, Number 2, April 1984 , pp. 421-423(3). Entomological Society of America.

“Parasitism of the Black Soldier Fly by Trichopria sp. (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) in Poultry Houses” Bradley S.W., Booth D.C., Sheppard D. C. Environmental Entomology, Volume 13, Number 2, April 1984, pp. 451-454(4). Entomological Society of America

“Performance Comparison of Earthworms and Soldier Fly Larvae in the processing of Sewage Sludge.” Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technologies (AWTT) Scheme. Project 1003-01-001. Dr. Kevin Warburton, Dept. of Zoology, University of Queensland.  Free Article:

http://www.lgp.qld.gov.au/docs/local_govt/grants_subsidies/funding/awtt/1003_awttfinalreport.pdf

“Rearing Methods for the Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae).” Sheppard, D. Craig. J. Tomberlin, J. Joyce, B. Kiser, and S. Sumner. Journal of Medical Entomology. Short Communication. 2002

“Recycling of Coffee Pulp by Hermetia Illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Larvae” Gerardo Larde. Biological Wastes 33 (1990) pgs 307-310.

“Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis in chicken manure by larvae of the black soldier fly.” Erickson, J. M.C., M. Islam, C. Sheppard, J. Liao, and M.P. Doyle.  Food Protection.  2004.  67:685-690. Pay Article:

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iafp/jfp/2004/00000067/00000004/art00009;jsessionid=15sq5715x4fgj.alice?format=print

“Selected Life-History Traits of Black Soldier Fles (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Reared on Three Artificial Diets” Tomberlin, Jeff.  D. Craig Sheppard.  John A Joyce.  Annals of the Entomological Society of America.  2002.  Vol 95. No. 3 pgs 379-387.

“Soldier fly Hermetia illucens L., as feed for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque) and blue tilapia, (Oreochromis aureus) (Steindachner).” Bondari K, Sheppard DC 1987.  Aquaculture and Fisheries Management 18:209-220.

“Susceptibility of Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Larvae and Adults to Four Insecticides.” Jeff Tomberlin.  Craig Sheppard.  John A. Joyce.  June 2002 Entomological Society of America.

“Use Of Soldier Fly Larvae In Organic Waste Management.” Dr. R. Newby. Central Queensland University. Biology Department.

Links to the direct online texts quoted are posted at the bottom…of the page when available. Links to this page in appreciation of the work put in to compile the research are very much appreciated.

Optimum Temperatures

Optimum for Consumption: 35 C. (95 F) (1)

(Note) : Food consumption rates fall with decreasing temperature and effectively reach zero at 15 C (59 F). (1)

Optimum for Mating: “Adults typically mated and oviposited at temperatures of 24 C (75.2 F) up to 40 C (104 F) or more. Booth and Sheppard (1984) reported that 99.6% of oviposition in the field occurred at 27.5 C to 37.5 C (81.5 F to 99.5 f)” (10).

Minimum w/Survival: temperatures as low as 0 C (32 F) for up to 4 hours. (1)

Maximum w/Survival: Larvae survive at temperatures up to 45 C (113 F). (1)

Inactivity: inactive larvae at temperatures less than 10 C (50 F) and at temperatures higher than 45 C (113 F). Survival rate falls rapidly at temperatures over 47 C (116.6 F) (1).

Optimum for Pupation and Emergence:

“Larval activity and growth slowed considerably as the mean daytime temperature dropped below 25 C (77 F) (April-September). Observations indicated that larvae seldom pupated at such temperatures. However, after transfer to 30 C (86 F), some of the larvae used in the sludge processing experiments (see below) then pupated and adults later emerged.” (3)

Inconsistencies Discovered: none at present

Crawloff Rate / Bio-Conversion

(also bio-conversion of organic waste to larvae)

“High insect yield: 8% by dry weight – i.e., similar to earthworm systems” (Note: Listed as an advantage to using Hermetia Illucens, however the reference is unclear as to the substrate quantity added). (3)

Presentation by Dr. Paul Olivier is that bio-conversion of food waste done in Bio-Pods in Vietnam was: “roughly 20% by weight of the fresh food waste converted into fresh larvae. This food waste had an average dry matter content of 37%, and the prepupae had an average dry matter content of 44%. On a dry matter basis, the bioconversion of food waste situates at almost 24%.” (4)

Dr. Craig Sheppard in Georgia writes citing his own research in 1994: “Black soldier fly larvae converted manure in a 460 hen facility to self-collected prepupal biomass at a 7.8% (d.m. basis) rate (Sheppard et al. 1994) which would represent 58 tons from 100,000 hens in 5 months.” (5)

Dr. Craig Sheppard cites another study writing: “In a recent study with swine, the authors observed 15% d.m. conversion of manure to black soldier fly prepupae.” (5)

Dr. Craig Sheppard cites a third study: “Research by Engineering, Separation and Recycling (L.L.C.) of Washington, LA found a 24% d.m. (dry matter) conversion of food waste to soldier fly prepupal biomass.” (5)

Inconsistincies Discovered: Based on the above variance of substrate or study shows a degree between 7.8% (d.m basis) and 24% (d.m. basis). A more conclusive study showing substrate matter is probably required to get an idea of what is causing the actual difference between the bio-conversion of the larvae

Optimum Ph

“The larvae tolerate a wide range of pH and will survive well in compost derived exclusively from decomposing citrus fruits. This finding is consistent with published data where one species of Stratiomyidae was found in water at pH 5.7″ (Brues 1928).(1)

Inconsistencies Discovered: none at present

Optimum Feed(s)

“While the larvae consumed all types of vegetable foods (both natural and processed) they had a limited ability to remove animal products (meat and fat) even when these represented less than 10 percent of the food available in the laboratory.” (1)

Confirmed: A BioSystems Design Study with Universidad de la Salle and Victoria Gutierrez Baron and Natalia Sanchez confirmed that optimum feed for BSF was comprised of 50% vegetable matter and 50% fruit matter, even when compared to a feed of 47.5% vegetable matter, 47.5% fruit matter, and 5% animal products (meat/fat).

Inconsistencies Discovered: none at present

Optimum Humidity

Larval Stage Optimum:

“The larvae tolerate saturated conditions well but large larvae lose weight at approximately 1% per hour at 75.5% relative humidity. As expected, the rate of water loss increases with decreasing relative humidity. Smaller larvae are more susceptible to water loss, losing approximately 1.5% body weight per hour at 75.5% RH.” (1)

“Found that the maximum development rates for soldier flies in dung occurs at 70 % moisture levels.”(1)(2)

For Mating:

“Relative humidities of 30-90% supported mating and oviposition” (10).

Inconsistincies Discovered: none at present

Optimum Lighting

For Mating: “Minimum light intensity for mating is 63 μ mol m2s -1 with most mating occurring at over 200 μ mol m2s -1 (J.K.T. and D.C.S., unpublished data).” (10)

For Bioconversion: (Note from the author) Larvae are known to be photo-phobic.

Optimum Natural Environment Considerations

Optimal Oviposition (egg laying) Environments:

“Hoy (pers comm) suggests that adults avoid oviposition sites that are anaerobic.” (1)

“Wet substrates were less attractive to ovipositing Hermetia Illucens (aka black soldier fly) (Booth and Sheppard 1984). Therefore, water was added to medium used for an oviposition attractant to near the saturation point to encourage oviposition… [in another location].” (10)

“Based on observations made at Caboolture Sewage Treatment Plant, soldier flies do not lay their eggs in sewage sludge piles…. Under experimental conditions indoors (described below), adults did not lay in open containers of sewage sludge.” (3)

Additional Considerations:

“Larvae can operate 6 to 8 inches below the surface. At lower depths they accomplish very little bioconversion.” (7)

Inconsistencies Discovered: none at present

Control of Other Insects

“The black soldier fly (BSF) is a southern native, non-pest fly that unlike the house fly, is not attracted to human habitation or foods (Furman et al. 1959). BSF reduce manure accumulations 42-56% and give 94-100% house fly control through larval competition and by repelling ovipositing house flies (Bradley and Sheppard 1984). Elimination of lesser mealworm has been noted, but not well documented. The digested residue is a friable compost-like material with about 24% less nitrogen (net loss of 60%). From Bradley and Sheppard 1984 (6), cited in Roeder Meyer (8)

Inconsistencies Discovered: none at present

Mating Habits

“Newly emerged soldier flies mate in flight. Soon afterwards females begin to deposit egg masses near edges of decaying organic matter. Eggs incubate 4 days to 3 weeks before hatching.” (9)

“The larvae seek sheltered, dry locations to pupate.” (9)

Special Environmental Affinities

“Adults commonly frequent flowers of the daisy and carrot families.” (9)

Annex 1: If You’re Interested in How Others Have Grown Black Soldier Fly

This step by step process is written up weekly by author “GW,” aka “The Lord of the Flies” over more than a year. The Pond Boss Forum’s thread on Black Soldier Fly details how “GW” started his Black Soldier Fly colony, lessons he learned to control humidity, uses of different feeds (dog food, hog-feed, coffee grinds, etc), optimum sunlight, and also includes some great video, photos, and humor which makes reading the 15 pages of posts a delight. Also, remember that if you’re looking for something specific ctrl+F is your friend!

GW also has his blog for more resources and commentary.

Sources

(1) Use Of Soldier Fly Larvae In Organic Waste Management Dr. R. Newby. Central Queensland University. Biology Department.

(2) Filth fly (Diptera) oviposition and larval development in poultry manure of various moisture levels. Fatchurochim, S., C.J. Geden and R.C. Axtell 1989. J Entomol Sci 24: 224-231. (Note: No original source document has been found. This article was originally referenced and sited by source 1 pages 5, 7.)

(3) Performance Comparison of Earthworms and Soldier Fly Larvae in the processing of Sewage Sludge. Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technologies (AWTT) Scheme. Project 1003-01-001. Dr. Kevin Warburton, Dept. of Zoology, University of Queensland, St. Lucia Q. 4072. Tel.: (07) 3365 2979. Fax: (07) 3365 1655. Email: KWarburton@zoology.uq.edu.au

(4) New Vietnam Presentation. Dr Paul Olivier. Private correspondence. Public presentation to La Universidad de la Sabana. Bogota, Colombia. April 14 2007.

(5) “Black Soldier Fly and Others for Value-Added Manure Management.” Dr. Craig Sheppard. University of Georgia. Tifton, GA. Link to Article.

(6) Bradley & Sheppard 1984, study cited on this forum: http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=115752&fpart=1

(7) SunNet Listserv

(8 ) Meyer, H.J., Roeder, Richard. “Insect and Manure Management in Poultry Systems: Elements Relative to Food Safety and Nuisance Issues” 2006. Link

(9) Black Soldier Fly. North Carolina State University. http://ipm.ncsu.edu/AG369/notes/black_soldier_fly.html

(10) Sheppard, D. Craig. J. Tomberlin, J. Joyce, B. Kiser, and S. Sumner. “Rearing Methods for the Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Journal of Medical Entomology. Short Communication. 2002 (Note: Only available via online sellers such as Ingenta Connect for $25).

During my research, my goal was to determine supply, elasticity of demand, and other competitive substitutes. Keep this fact in mind… when I describe these as the ‘best’ fishmeal research links.

1. FIS network’s ‘people with opinion’ section: This network is an aquaculture business hub. Complete with market reports, price trends, species directories and info by country. However, most useful for my research goals were the outstanding opinions written by expert environmentalists as well as classic business conservatives struggling with supply and sustainability.
2. The FAO’s Food Outlook: Global Market Analysis. In stark contrast to the FIS network’s heavy-hitter opinions, the fish and fishery products section of the report is an excellent very general overview.
3. The Fish InfoNetwork Market Report on Fishmeal. This market report covers the market price trends, production trends, and causes for both supply and price movements over the time period of a couple months. The link is to the specific fishmeal report, but also notice the aquaculture and species specific reports. Most data is in graphs, however, Excel formatted data can be obtained upon request from the authors of the report.
4. FIN: The fishmeal Information Network. The link will take you directly to their facts and figures of World Fishmeal production, European production, and UK production. What more could you ask for…other than it being in one handy dandy pdf? (see the bottom of their page). Poke around the site for fishmeal related info that concerns you.
5. Academic Paper: “Modeling demand for Fishmeal using a heterogeneous estimator for panel data”. This article, published by Tveteras, Teveteras, and Sissener is a great paper analyzing the cross price elasticities of demand for fishmeal, as well as comparisons to oil seeds, cereals, and cereal substitutes. This report also discusses competition for fishmeal between poultry, pig, and aquaculture production. It contributes the elasticities of demand over a long run for these markets as well. A warning, the economics are complex. The conclusions are pretty simple.
6. Worldwatch.org soybean production trends. As far as substitute product research is concerned, this document published by world watch has a great assessment of soybean production trends. Its available by snail mail for USD $10.
7. Woldwide Fish Meal Production Outlook and the Use of Alternative Protein Meals for Aquaculture. This report by Ronald W. Hardy examines most product substitutes for fishmeal and each of the problems accompanying the substitutes. His thoughts: if protein substitutes were equal or better in nutritional and economic terms, they’d already be widely used. They aren’t. Hint: he doesn’t examine insect based feed and simply brushes it off as historically not being cost competitive to fishmeal.
8. Hammersmith Marketing Report by Wayne Bacon. Because Fishmeal prices cannot be found in the paper (or online in most cases), let alone analysis, this report is an excellent weekly update. The prices are listed for fishmeal and fish-oil, as well as their likely underlying reasons. An excellent and much appreciated service.

I’ll continue to develop this list as I see fit. Suggestions of other resources are welcome. Look forward to the strategy outline to come–why are bets being placed on insect based fishmeal: making aquaculture sustainable.