Black Soldier Fly Larvae's Optimal Feed Intake and Rearing Density: A Welfare Perspective (Part II).

ABSTRACT: The large-scale insect rearing sector is expected to grow significantly in the next few years, with Hermetia illucens L. (black soldier fly, BSF) playing a pivotal role. As with traditional livestock, it is essential to improve and ensure BSF welfare. A starting point can be an adaptation of the Five Freedoms framework. Feed availability must be optimized to meet larvae nutritional needs (freedom from hunger) while maximizing substrate conversion efficiency. Similarly, rearing density needs to be optimized to ensure well-being, particularly in large-scale operations. In this study, Control (commercial laying hen feed) and Omnivorous substrates (vegetable and meat) were used as dietary regimes. In the first trial, three feeding rates were tested: 50, 100, and 200 mg feed/larva/day; i

SUBMITTER: Cattaneo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11765738 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature