ArticlePloS one2025
The hidden drivers: Unraveling the impact of density, moisture, and scale on Hermetia illucens rearing.
Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Biological Load and Tray Position Shape Larval Yield and Frass Production in a StackedAnimals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2026Article
- Harnessing Edible Insect Bioactives for Gut Health: A Comprehensive Review on Chitin-Derived Prebiotics and Peptidomic Insights from the Black Soldier Fly.Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is a saprophagous insect known for bioconverting organic waste, potentially offering environmental benefits, such as contributing to waste reduction and nutrient cycling. The performance of larvae varies significantly with factors substrate moisture, larval density, and scale of production. Three experiments were conducted using a mix of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and chicken feed (CF). In the first experiment, 250 larvae were reared on 100 g dry matter (DM) feed at moisture levels of 65-75%. Results showed that the average individual larval weight, total biomass, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved with increased moisture. In the second experiment, 300 and 350 larvae/box were tested at 70% and 75% moisture. The highest average individual larval fresh weight (158.6 mg) was observed at 70% moisture with 250 larvae, while the highest biomass was achieved at 75% moisture with 300 larvae. Finally, different scales (10-2,500 g feed with 25-6,500 larvae) were tested with a similar feeding rate. The highest individual larval weight was recorded at the 100 g scale, with no clear correlation between weight and scale. However, the 50 g scale achieved the highest substrate reduction (33.2%). Overall, this study underscores the need to adjust moisture, density, and scale to nutrient conversion efficiency when using SMS, CF or other diets. The optimal results for the SMS feed mix were observed at 75% substrate moisture, 250 larvae per 100 g DM, and at approximately 2 larvae per cm2.
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Registered trials
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