To determine the capacity of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (Hermetia illucens) to
convert fresh human faeces into larval biomass under different feeding regimes, and to determine
how effective BSFL are as a means of human faecal waste management.
methods Black soldier fly larvae were fed fresh human faeces. The frequency of feeding, number of
larvae and feeding ratio were altered to determine their effects on larval growth, prepupal weight,
waste reduction, bioconversion and feed conversion rate (FCR).
results The larvae that were fed a single lump amount of faeces developed into significantly larger
larvae and prepupae than those fed incrementally every 2 days; however, the development into prepupae
took longer. The highest waste reduction was found in the group containing the most larvae,
with no difference between feeding regimes. At an estimated 90% pupation rate, the highest
bioconversion (16–22%) and lowest, most efficient FCR (2.0–3.3) occurred in groups that contained
10 and 100 larvae, when fed both the lump amount and incremental regime.
conclusion The prepupal weight, bioconversion and FCR results surpass those from previous
studies into BSFL management of swine, chicken manure and municipal organic waste. This suggests
that the use of BSFL could provide a solution to the health problems associated with poor sanitation
and inadequate human waste management in developing countries.