Black Soldier fly
Black soldier fly (Hermentia illucens )
In the world where consumerism is on rise and climate change is affecting every part of our planet, a few people struggle to find solutions for all issues. Not much appreciated by wide society, denied often and misunderstood, environmentalists are only soldiers that this planet need. At this point radical change is needed if we need to mend all what is done in the past few decades.
Different subjects are mentioned in my blog but still, I never had a chance to share newest interest in entomoremediation, insects capability to clean biomass from heavy metals. In the late 20th century significant discovery show potential of a few insects to clean up biomass, thanks to their specific metabolic pathways. One of these insects, know by the name Black soldier fly (BSF) is subject of research in one of Sydney’s scientific circles, laboratory group of Dr Maselko. BSF is capable of reducing organic chemicals from waste. BSF is easy to manipulate, doesn’t sting or bite and its population can be easily manipulated. This is cosmopolitan organism, it can survive and be used in almost any populated area for recycling organic waste but also as alternative food source for animals and even humans (protein).
Hermentia illucens (BSF) is common insect in households, completely harmless but usefull because it houseflies and blowflies from laying eggs and spoiling food. On the other side, BSF is very effective in managing food waste and overall organic waste. On the other hand, scientists notice their detritivorous nature, meaning that BSF females are not attracted by human food but rather by rotting waste. Energy is preserved and therefore these insects do not fly much
Our best chance is for sure with some of nature given soldiers, capable of recycling materials without any dangerous byproduct. Few solution we had so far with other organisms and controlling for example plastic waste, raise additional issues because of lack in population control etc.
BSF is great because they do not regurgitate materials, they do not have specific digestive enzymes which will potentially be cause of spreading diseases. They are mostly protein made and this fact was used for manufacturing, making them great source of food for animals, pets and even humans.
