Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)

Welcome to our Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) project! We harness the natural capabilities of BSFL to recycle organic waste, reduce our environmental footprint, and support sustainable practices. Our daily work includes feeding and maintaining the larvae, managing the garden nourished by their frass (a natural fertilizer), and conducting research on genetic modification to improve the larvae’s utility.

Our Daily routine

  • Feeding the Larvae:
    Our larvae enjoy a varied diet that includes:

    • Fruits like oranges and apples
    • Oats
    • Beer spent grains provided by the Zymurgy Club
    • Unwanted fruits collected from our community #BigBacks initiative

  • What BSFL Do:

    • Breakdown Food Waste: The larvae help us turn organic waste into valuable resources.

    • Produce Fertilizer: Known as “frass,” this nutrient-rich byproduct is collected and used in our garden.

  • Our Garden:
    Frass from the larvae sustains a variety of crops, including red spinach, kale, bok choy, peppers, and arugula. By using BSFL frass, we ensure a fully organic and sustainable gardening system.

Research Focus

  • Objective: To create a transgenic framework for the Vasa homologue in Hermetia illucens using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology.
  • What We Do: Our research involves:
    • Cloning protocols, enzyme restrictions, and gene transformations.
    • Collaborating to optimize rearing conditions for BSFL, supporting ongoing studies and experimentation.

Did You Know?

  • BSFL are native to Singapore and do not transmit diseases, unlike mosquitoes.
  • They can convert food waste into fertilizer and sustainable insect protein, making them ideal for aquaculture feed and livestock diets.

Advantages of Using BSFL

  1. Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
    BSFL-based vermicomposting produces fewer emissions than traditional composting methods.

  2. Improved Animal Growth Rates:
    Poultry and other animals fed with BSFL protein show higher growth rates compared to those on conventional diets.

In Singapore, food waste is a significant environmental issue, with contributions from households, restaurants, and industries such as tofu factories and breweries. By diverting this waste to feed BSFL, we transform potential waste into valuable resources like fertilizer and protein, promoting a circular economy.