Effects of graded artificial diet replacement with animal biowaste on developmental and reproductive traits of Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis (Fallén, 1817) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Abstract Background Flesh flies pose significant health risks worldwide because they can transmit a wide range of disease-causing microorganisms and are major agents of traumatic myiasis. However, they possess the ability to convert animal waste into a useful biomass for animal feed. This study evaluated the effects of three animal biowastes (beef, poultry, and fish), either alone or combined with three levels (25%, 50%, and 75%) of an artificial diet, on the lifecycle (i.e., pupal period, larval period, adult male and female longevity) and biological traits (i.e., larval weight, pupal weight, pupation rate, emergence rate, and fecundity) of S. haemorrhoidalis. Results Larvae reared on the 100% beef diet demonstrated the shortest developmental duration, the highest larval weight, and the greatest adult male longevity. The 100%, 75%, and 50% beef diets resulted in the shortest pupal period and the highest fecundity. The 100% and 75% beef diets also produced the greatest pupal weight and the longest adult female longevity. Pupation and adult emergence rates did not differ significantly among the dietary treatments. Conclusion Under the current experimental conditions, the 100% beef diet significantly improved the life history traits of S. haemorrhoidalis . These findings suggest that beef biowaste may serve as a suitable rearing substrate for the mass rearing of flesh flies and highlight its potential for biowaste valorization and as an alternative protein source for poultry feed.