Evaluation of Substrates for the Incubation and Hatching of the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34069/RA/2026.17.08Keywords:
Oviposition, organic substrates, hatching rate., Hermetia illucens, egg incubation.Abstract
The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, Diptera: Stratiomyidae) is a key species for waste valorization within circular economy frameworks. However, mass production efficiency is highly dependent on success during the incubation phase. This study evaluated the egg hatching rate using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three treatments and three replicates per treatment. Experimental units consisted of 50 eggs placed in Petri dishes under controlled conditions (27-30 °C and 60-70% relative humidity). Three substrates were compared: fruit waste (T1), cow manure (T2), and a balanced mixture of both (T3). Results indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) between treatments; the mixture (T3) achieved the highest hatching percentage at 88.67%, followed by the fruit substrate (T1) at 76%. Pure manure (T2) exhibited a severe inhibitory effect with only 4% hatching. It is concluded that the incubation of the black soldier fly is significantly more efficient using mixtures of fruit waste and cattle manure than using these substrates individually, since the balanced combination of both maximizes the hatching rate in mass production systems.
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