Feeding Strategies for Optimizing Black Soldier Fly Hermetia illucens (L.) Larval Production for Sustainable Organic Material-to-Protein Conversion

Insect larvae are naturally part of the diet of farmed animals, for instance poultry, pigs, and fish. Thus, the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) has been grown for use as a source of protein in animal feed. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) feed on various organic materials and bioaccumulate the nutrients obtained from the organic materials. This results in BSFL with protein content ranging from 25 to 60% depending on the type of organic material fed. Feeding strategies customized for optimizing BSFL growth and protein deposition are essential for sustainably increasing the production of BSFL to meet the growing demand for their use in animal feed. Feeding strategies for sustainable BSFL production should: ensure nutrient utilization efficiency to optimize BSFL growth and protein deposition; use readily available local organic material of good nutritional quality, safe, and acceptable for use in the animal feed industry; ensure economic and environmental sustainability; and adhere to existing legislature. While substantial information on feeding BSFL is available in different data sources, the literature mainly focuses on increasing BSFL production without integrating sustainability issues, especially economic and environmental sustainability. The objective of this review was to synthesize and consolidate existing information on feeding strategies for BSFL production from different sources and point out sustainable feeding strategies, existing knowledge gaps, and aspects that require further research. The purpose of the review is to provide information on feeding practices for the sustainable production of BSFL to meet the growing demand for BSFL in animal feed. This will contribute to improved food security, environmental management, and job creation. BSFL can feed on mixed organic material food sources more efficiently, reducing the volume of the food by up to 72%, while bioaccumulating the nutrients better than when feeding on individual organic sources such as fruit or vegetable waste.