Failure and Adaptation in Black Soldier Fly Larval Rearing on Hospital Food Waste in a Net-House System

Abstract This case study documents the initial failure of a BSFL rearing trial conducted in a net house environment at Universiti Putra Malaysia. The study objective was to evaluate larvae performance on hospital food waste using an opaque-bin self-harvesting system. Within 3 days, excessively wet substrate led to rapid fungal colonization, low larval activity, pest intrusion, and suspected mortality. The case highlights the sensitivity of BSFL to moisture, ventilation, and substrate-to-larvae ratios. Furthermore, it offers insights for researchers and practitioners working with food waste bioconversion in tropical climates. Lessons learned informed the development of improved rearing conditions for subsequent trials. Information © The Authors 2026.