THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS BIOLOGICAL WASTES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARVAE AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR TREATMENT BY THE BLACK LION (HERMETIA ILLUCENS)
range of organic matter and are of particular interest for waste disposal. The nutritional value of pre-adult stages, in particular the protein content, makes this species a suitable candidate for use as food for other organisms. Food waste, vegetables, fruits, and agricultural waste are promising substrates for growing insects. This study examined the suitability of five food scraps for growing Hermetia illucens. Substrate suitability was determined by periodically evaluating survival and measuring the length, width, and body weight of H. illucens on each substrate in the laboratory. The survival of H. illucens larvae and pupae on food waste, bread, and fruit was comparable to that of the control substrate (laying hen feed). On the contrary, the survival rate of larvae to pupae on the substrate of vegetables and chicken manure was significantly lower than in the control. As a rule, larvae and adults reared on chicken feed were significantly larger in size and body weight compared to larvae fed on vegetable substrate and chicken manure. Thus, due to their inherent high moisture content, low protein and carbohydrate content, the vegetable substrate is the least suitable material for the survival and growth of H. illucens in the study.