Effect of Types and Quantities of Substrates on Growth Performance of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens)

Abstract

Despite the fact that black soldier fly larvae are being used as a supplement in livestock production. However, there is lack of information of the suitable substrates and their quantities that can be used in black soldier fly rearing. This study was conducted to determine the effect of different types and quantities of substrates on the growth characteristics of black soldier fly larvae. In this study, Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae were fed on five substrates, the experimental design used was a Randomized Complete  Design  with two factors namely: different types of waste and quantities of substrates fed, comprising of  treatments; Pineapple Waste, Jack Fruit Waste, Rumen Content, Fish Offal, Mixed substrates and control replicated thrice  per substrate and fed until the neonates larvae became fully grown larvae; length, weight and survival rate of the larvae fed on all five substrates at four feeding levels; 250g, 500g, 750g and 1000g were determined. Pineapple waste (PW) and Jack fruit waste (JFW) except for Mixed substrates (MS) recorded the highest length of 10.00mm, 11.85mm and 11.45mm, at 750g when compared at 1000g PW {9.60mm}, JFW {10.60mm}, MS {12.75mm}   respectively (P<0.05), at 1000g of substrate. Mixed Substrate (MS) and Jack Fruit Waste (JFW) recorded the highest weight of 0.318g/FM and 0.212g/FM respectively (P<0.05), at 1000g of substrate.  Control (Cont) and Mixed substrate MS achieved the highest Survival rate (SR) of 96.19% and 96.01% respectively (P<0.05). Results showed significant differences for all substrates influencing growth (p<0.05) but MS was the most influential.