Growth of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia Illucens) Fed with Animal Manure and Tomato Leaves from the Research Center for Horticulture and Native Plants (CIHPNA) of the UPAEP

The biotransformation of organic waste using Hermetia illucens larvae has been extensively studied under various conditions and types of waste, indicating that it is possible to optimize their growth and obtain by-products such as fertilizer, proteins, fats, and lipids while maintaining ideal environmental conditions. This study was conducted using a randomized experimental design, according to the C:N ratio, each in triplicate. The substrates were 1 kg mixtures of sheep manure (Hov), cattle manure (Hbo), and tomato leaf waste (HJ), at two feeding rates: TA1 444.4 mg/larva.day and TA2 666.6 mg/larva.day, distributed in the following treatments: T1 (Hov 47%, Hbo 38%, HJ 15%), T2 (Hov 40%, Hbo 46%, HJ 14%), T3 (Hov 38%, Hbo 48%, HJ 14%), T4 (Hov 46%, Hbo 37%, HJ 17%), and T5 (Hov 43%, Hbo 41%, HJ 16%). Under greenhouse conditions with temperature fluctuations between 14 and 32 °C. Water addition conditions in the diets were controlled in containers, above 50% humidity in the substrate. Five-day-old larvae were used in the trial. Larval growth was determined every three days over a period of 15 days. The % moisture, % ash, % waste conversion rate, % waste reduction, and % daily waste reduction were analyzed, indicating that TA2 666.6 mg/larva.day provided the best results. The aim was to evaluate the growth process of Hermetia illucens larvae and contribute to the degradation of agricultural and livestock waste in local and industrial production.