Stocking rate and organic waste type affect development of three Chrysomya species and Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) : implications for bioconversion

Abstract

Fly larvae can be used effectively to reduce various organic waste types and produce value‐added products, including protein as an ingredient in livestock feeds and oil for biodiesel production. However, fly development on different waste types may cause differences in growth rate and the body composition, which can further be influenced by fly species and their stocking rate. This study explored the impact of different waste types (kitchen waste, abattoir waste and swine manure) and larval stocking rate on growth and body composition of four blowfly species, Chrysomya chloropyga (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann) and Lucilia sericata (Meigen). First‐instar larvae (20, 50 or 100), less than 3 hr old, were placed on 100 g of each waste type. Pre‐pupal mass at commencement of post‐feeding larval dispersal, time to onset of dispersal, survival and nutrient reserves were determined for each species, stocking rate and waste type. Our results revealed that larvae fed kitchen and abattoir waste had significantly higher dry mass, crude protein and lipid content compared with those fed swine manure. Higher survival rate was observed with increasing larval stocking rate. We provide important information to guide the mass production of high‐quality nutrient‐rich larvae and recommend C. putoria, which is versatile and effective on a range of waste products, as well as high in protein and lipids. The implications for waste management are discussed.