How would you like to be able to produce large quantities of live animal protein….out of thin air? Well, you can!
The Soldier Fly is arguably one of the best kept secrets of sustainable farming.
The larva of the Soldier Fly can be used to convert large quantities of organic wastes (including fruit and vegetable residues, offal and manure), into high quality animal protein that can then be fed directly to chickens and fish.
The good news doesn’t end there. This remarkable creature is genetically programmed to harvest itself. When it reaches maturity, it will climb out of its food source, crawl up a ramp (cleaning itself as it goes) and drop into a container ready for collection.
SF adults do not go into houses or eating places. They do not have functional mouth parts so they do not eat waste and nor can they regurgitate on human food.
They do not bite or sting and they are not associated in any way with the transmission of disease. Not only do they not behave like the irritating flies that afflict humans, Soldier flies actually reduce housefly numbers by 95% – 100%…..by denying the flies access to food.
Soldier Fly larvae are dry to the touch and have no odour.
The only real issue with Soldier Fly larvae is the poor image that attaches to flies in general and larvae in particular.
The mere thought of associating with worms and flies (much less fly larvae) usually fills most people with a sense of revulsion and the notion of close contact with bacteria raises thoughts of pestilence and plague.
The truth is that, not only are there bacteria and flies that are harmless to humans, life as we know it would not be able to exist without bacteria and flies.
The pet industry has overcome the image issue by marketing SF larvae, as live food, to owners of fish, birds, frogs and reptiles, under the more innocuous name of Phoenix Worms.
In the quest for home-grown livestock rations, more robust smallholders have long experimented with earthworms and various types of larvae.
Producing consistent quantities of earthworms requires some skill and takes at least 90 days to produce your first harvest.
Producing consistent quantities of Housefly or Blowfly larvae will happen much faster but harvesting them will put you in direct contact with some of nature’s less endearing disease couriers.
If you want to produce consistent quantities of animal protein with little effort and without getting too hands on, then Soldier Fly larvae are for you.
Waste Conversion
They have attracted the attention of researchers because of their capacity to consume large quantities of organic waste including pig and poultry manure. So voracious are the larvae, and such are their numbers, that they will sometimes displace worms.
Like worms, they will retreat from light. Unlike worms, however, they can tolerate very hot conditions.
When fed fresh manure, SF larvae convert protein and other nutrients in the manure into insect biomass. Aside from reducing manure volume by 50%, the larvae may reduce nutrient levels by 50% – 70%.
Soldier Flies do not limit their interest to livestock manure. They will happily lay their eggs in compost bins. Quite often, the owner of the bin will be oblivious to the fact that it is Soldier Fly larvae (rather than worms) that are consuming their kitchen scraps with such vigour.
SF larvae also handle offal and dairy wastes very effectively. This is a very handy attribute because, when you process a fish, chicken or rabbit for food, about half of the live weight is going to comprise viscera (guts), skin, feathers, scales or other inedible waste that will require disposal.
Soldier Fly larvae will convert this waste to live protein leaving you with compost that has an earthy odour and the texture of ground coffee. Soldier Fly larvae manure is a very useful soil conditioner and it makes excellent worm bedding.
Life Cycle
Adults mature and mate in the wild. Soldier fly adults congregate in small numbers near a secluded bush or tree in order to find and select a mate. After mating, the female searches for a suitable place to lay her eggs. She produces about 900 eggs in her short life of 5 to 8 days.
The male Soldier flies do not make contact with organic waste. To optimise their chances of survival, the females prefer to lay their eggs close to the waste rather than in it. About 100 hours later, the larvae hatch then crawl into the waste, which they begin to consume.
They start out white and gradually change to grey. They have the appearance of large segmented maggots and are often flat on the underside. One end is round and the other end tapers to a point.
Under ideal conditions, the larvae reach maturity in about two weeks In the absence of sufficient food, or in cooler weather, it may take up to six months for them to grow to the pre-pupae stage. SF larvae pass through 5 stages. Upon reaching maturity, pre-pupal larvae are about 25mm long, 6mm in diameter, and they weigh about 0.2 grams.
Pre-pupal SF empty their gut during their last moult and cannot feed thereafter. At this stage, the larva has everything that it needs to sustain it as it changes from pupae to adult fly.
The ability of the Soldier Fly larva to extend its life cycle under conditions of stress is a very important factor in its management for managing wastes and as a food source for poultry pigs and fish.
When the larvae are ready to become adult flies, they clear out their gut and start to look for a safe and private place in which to pupate. Famous for their ability to climb a 45° ramp, the larvae will crawl out of their food source and make their way to a collection point having effectively sorted themselves by size (only those ready to pupate will make this journey) and having cleaned themselves on the way.
The SF larvae’s capacity for self-selection makes them a better choice for small livestock diets than earthworms which still have to be separated from their bedding and sorted by size using manual or mechanical means.
Use of Larvae in Livestock Rations
Producing your own small livestock rations isn’t just a matter of economics; it’s a cornerstone of any attempt to produce clean, fresh food.
Commercial rations may contain preservatives, antibiotics and a host of questionable ingredients. The only way you can be sure that you know what’s in your livestock rations is to mix them yourself.
Dried SF pre-pupae contain up to 42% protein and 35% fat and feature an amino acid and mineral profile which leaves them well suited for use as livestock food.
Feeding studies have identified that SF larvae are suitable for use in poultry, pig and fish rations. Some researchers suggest that SF larvae are the nutritional equivalent of (and a suitable replacement for) fishmeal. This has important implications as wild catch fish stocks continue to dwindle.
Arguably, the biggest issue in using these remarkable creatures for livestock rations is overcoming the negative image that attaches to flies and insects. The simple fact, however, is that left to their own devices, small livestock will eat worms, larvae and insects – very often to the exclusion of expensive commercial rations.
Week old ducks, chickens or quail will hunt and eat flies and most species of fish will (in the wild) eat anything they can get their mouth around.
Sustainability
Any attempt to create sustainability that fails to acknowledge the role of bacteria and insects is doomed from the outset.
Worms, larvae and bacteria transform materials like manure, plant residues and animal processing by-products into more worms and larvae and soil conditioner. The worms and larvae can be combined with other ingredients (like duckweed) to produce rations for quail, chickens, ducks, rabbits and fish and the soil conditioner can be used to enrich your gardens.
Soldier Flies and backyard farming are good for each other, no matter how you cut it.
- Animal Protein Out Of Thin Air!
How would you like to have an unlimited source of fresh animal protein – absolutely FREE?
Salim Khatib – I live in Zanzibar too and BSF larvae found my compost heap – I’m making prototype composter-harvester right now to promote to everyone who keeps chickens to feed them for free. If you want a handful of larvae contact me via my programme’s facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SustainableEastAfrica and you can have some! But get the conditions right and they will find you.
Eli…..There are several good designs for BSF larvae harvesters. You’ll find one here…..and another one that I think has real potential here.
Salim Khatib…..Just keep loading up your BioPod and the BSF will find you eventually.
dear all i need to buy Black soldier fly larvae and bring them to Zanzibar, where i can buy?
Sounds great, I was thinking to use a barrel with a ramp for the larvae to climb and drop into a bucket off the end. Will they jump off into the collection bucket? I think I should dump a few on the ground for their perpetuation and feed the rest to my chickens. Is the ground (grass) the best place for the ones I want to survive (or should I even worry about that… seems right to me)?..
You mention the nutritional value of “Dried SF pre-pupae” is there a process of drying them that you know of? I’m familiar with drying superworms and mealworms but didn’t know if it works the same with BF Larva. I produce an over abundance of these and would like to begin preserving them for winter feeding to my chickens. Can they be frozen?
a question also…im in florida and the ants are …well just everywhere …they are nesting in my compost…how does if it does…effect ..well anything ..is it good or bad..i have no control over it and am not about to spray anything…they are slowly but surely bringing rich soil out of the bin…and also i want them to not harm the larvae…they seem to be symbiotic as far as i can see…thanks !
today was sooo exciting! im pretty sure only for me though! no one else got it….but to my wondreful discovery of opening my compost bin…and to tell you the truth i thought maybe i had a bit too much fun the night before because everything was moving and the more i stared the more things were all moving ….but….just the great sight of many many many bsf larvae !so cool and wonderful the way nature works…
Hi I live in Perth Western Australia, do you know of places that sell BSF larvae??
So I can start a system of my own.
Hi Damina. How sure are you that it is the black soldier fly?
You say: My name is Damian, I live in PE and some BSF have made their home in my worm bin. You can gladly have some!
If so I am very interested.
My email: jmwesselsatvodamaildotcodotza
Hi all stay in polokwane sf s arrived on their own in my backyard compost pile so it seems they are in africa already , so dont despair just go ahead and start your compost ,not one organic anything leaves the premises. i dont even bother to turn the pile, just some water as conditions demand, needless to say the compost is top notch,takes mine a full year. thanks for the great website
Hi Gary,
I found some fly larvae in my compost heap which purely horse manure, I have a picture of them here http://forums.permaculture.org.au/attachment.php?attachmentid=1447&d=1346883429
I thought the larvae were just a ‘normal’ fly larvae, but then I never seen a ‘head’ on those before, nore the brown patch or the black line. These larvae are also a lot bigger then what I used to know as house fly larvae.
I had a look on the net and as they have what looks like a head, it makes me think they may be soldier fly larvae. Can you shed light on it for me?
Thanks
Sudhiranjan……If you create the correct habitat and food source for BSF, they’ll find you.
Be patient.
Hannes……I don’t know if it is legal to post them to South Africa but I wouldn’t do it anyway. Translocation of species is not a good thing in most cases……and you never know what else you’re sending (in the way of pests or disease organisms) in the same package.
Here in Argentina the BSF occurs naturally. They live in peace with earthworms. Will it be legal to post them to South Africa? Well let me know. ‘n Boer maak ‘n plan! tu-hanito@hotmail.com
Where is BSF larvae obtainable in India?
Hi Damian !
Im living in Phalaborwa limpopo, and im in desperate need of some BSF’s!
Do you think there is a way i can get a few of your friends?
maybe you can post me some of the larva?
Ill be greatly in your debt!
Blessings
Johannes
Dear friend, I write from Italy, and I am delighted with the home composting of food waste. I want to buy the BSF larvae, and I saw your page, which seems very interesting. How do I buy BSF larvae? how much it costs, and especially how much is shipping them to Italy? Thanks in advance.
For the South Africans:
My name is Damian, I live in PE and some BSF have made their home in my worm bin. You can gladly have some!
Peace
Hi am in Kenya and have been in business of producing Soldier Fly Larvae for a year now.I use them to make my own pig and chicken feeds.I have plenty of the pupa i can sell.
Regards
william mutahi
Hey Gary
im from south africa and cant find BSF anywhere.any ideas were i can purchase or import them? i heard biopod plus will be imported to south africa soon,but we dont have BSF,how will that work
Where can I purchase the larvae or eggs of BSF…in order to start a breeding program?
I live in south africa I am looking to buy some BSF we don’t have them here can somebody help me
Thanks for this post. Soldier Fly Larvae have been invading my Bokashi bin contents after I bury them in the garden. You have successfully quelled my revulsion; my only problem is that I have no livestock to feed them to! I guess one way or another they are helping us to recycle our home waste, so I might as well continue with what I am doing.
Mike…….your use of hypertufa to make a BSF harvester is innovative to say the least…..nice work.
Gary,
I just completed my first hypertufa biopod. It only cost around $20 dollars to build, and I’m hoping this will be just as good as the commercial units. Here’s a link to what it looks like:
http://www.earthfarms.org/blog/?page_id=142
Thanks for inspiring me!
-Mike