Growth of the Black Soldier Fly Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) on Organic-Waste Residues and Its Application as Supplementary Diet for Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Perciformes: Cichlidae)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The need to identify sustainable and profitable resources for the elaboration of useful feeds in animal nutrition has been the focus of many studies. Insect-based feeds have been tested by introduction into the diets of pigs, poultry, and fish, with interesting results. Worldwide, solid waste management has increased because of economic and population growth, and most investigations have concentrated on identifying efficient solutions to reduce this waste. Aquaculture has experienced exceptional growth and is perceived as having the greatest potential to meet the growing demand for food in the world, by using aquatic species that serve as a protein source in the diet and therefore contribute to the food security of the population. There are studies with the use of black soldier flies (BSF) as a potential feed agent for animals with high protein content. The relevance of evaluating different food resources in the BSF-immature stages is important because the quantity and quality of the food provided to the fly larvae generate different responses on the growth and development of this insect used as animal feed. ABSTRACT: The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (BSF, Diptera: Stratiomyidae) is an insect with high protein value and a potential feed agent for animals aimed for human consumption. The growth parameters of BSF larvae reared on four substrates—restaurant-waste, fruit-waste, fish-waste, and commercial tilapia food—for 41 days before processing for inclusion into Oreochromis niloticus (Perciformes: Cichlidae, Nile tilapia) commercial fry diets at 30% (70:30) were determined. On fly larvae, the food substrate based on restaurant waste yielded the greatest larval weight and length. BSF larvae fed a fish-waste diet showed the shortest developmental time. The fruit-waste diet induced the lowest weight and length in the fly larvae/pre-pupae (immature stage). The pre-pupal protein values were similar to commercial food. On fry-fish, the diets with pre-pupae grown on fish waste showed the greatest yields regarding weight (biomass), length, and nutritional content. These results suggest the BSF has the potential to be used in fish feed and provides an alternative for commercial cultivation.