Hermetia illucens, the black soldier fly

BEF Biosystems decided to start off by breeding Hermetia illucens, one of the insect species approved for production in the EU, also known under its common name of black soldier fly.

The soldier fly is a cosmopolitan, perfectly harmless Dipteran: larvae and adults are not regarded as pests or vectors of diseases and zoonoses.

In their few days of life, adult flies do not sting, bite, or eat: their only activity is reproduction.

The larvae of this insect need to eat huge quantities of food in order to store sufficient energy to survive through their adult stage. Within a few days they reach their maximum development by feeding on the nutrients contained in organic residues.

Once the diet has been fully digested, the larvae can be used for the production of proteins and fat, while the residue (FRASS) is a mineral-rich organic soil improver.