Transforming waste into wealth: an in-depth exploration of MaeJo Black Soldier Fly (MAEJO BSF) cultivation for industrial applications
Main Article Content
Abstract
Results showed that water was the most effective attractant for adult MAEJO BSF, followed by sugar cubes, electrolyte drinks, honey, and sweet fruits. For egg-laying stimulation, molasses combined with vegetable scraps yielded the best results, while molasses mixed with food waste resulted in the highest number of larvae. Additionally, raw rice husk was the most effective substrate for inducing larval pupation, followed by sand, burnt rice husk, and soil, with no pupation observed in shredded coconut husk. These findings underscored the importance of selecting appropriate food sources, organic waste, and substrates for the rearing and propagation of MAEJO BSF in Thailand's climate, supporting efficient organic waste management and enhancing the production of alternative protein sources.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Chia, S. Y., Lim, C. T. and Lee, K. C. (2019a). Potential of Black Soldier Fly larvae as a sustainable protein source for animal feed. Waste Management, 89:89-98.
Chia, S. Y., Tanga, C. M., Osuga, I. M. and Ekesi, S. (2019b). Black Soldier Fly larvae farming as a source of protein for livestock. Animal Frontiers, 9:16-20.
Diener, S., Studt Solano, N. M., Roa Gutiérrez, F., Zurbrügg, C. and Tockner, K. (2011).
Biological treatment of municipal organic waste using black soldier fly larvae. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 2:357-364.
Gobbi, P., Martinez-Sanchez, A. and Rojo, S. (2013). The effects of larval diet on adult life-history traits in the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). European Journal of Entomology, 110:461-468.
Lalander, C., Diener, S., Magri, M. E., Zurbrügg, C., Lindström, A. and Vinnerås, B. (2013).
Faecal sludge management with the larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens). Waste Management, 34:1455-1459.
Meneguz, M., Schiavone, A., Gai, F., Dama, A., Lussiana, C., Renna, M. and Gasco, L. (2018).
Effect of rearing substrate on growth performance, waste reduction efficiency and chemical composition of black soldier fly larvae. Journal of Cleaner Production, 217:156-160.
Nguyen, T. T. X., Tomberlin, J. K. and Vanlaerhoven, S. (2015). Ability of black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae to recycle food waste. Environmental Entomology, 44:406-410.
Oonincx, D. G., van Broekhoven, S., van Huis, A. and van Loon, J. J. (2015). Feed conversion,
survival and development, and composition of four insect species on diets composed of
food by-products. PLOS ONE, 10:e0144601.
Spranghers, T., Ottoboni, M., Klootwijk, C., Ovyn, A., Deboosere, S., De Meulenaer, B. and De Smet, S. (2017). Nutritional composition of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae reared on different organic waste substrates. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 97:2594-2600.
Surendra, K. C., Olivier, R., Tomberlin, J. K. and Jha, R. (2016). Black Soldier Fly larvae for organic waste management and as a protein source for livestock. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 7:425-432.
Tomberlin, J. K., Sheppard, D. C. and Joyce, J. A. (2009). Black Soldier Fly larvae as a feed
ingredient for poultry and fish: A review. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 151:73-80.
Van Huis, A. (2013). Insects as food and feed: A new emerging industry. Food Research
International, 50:226-228.