LARVAL MORTALITY POSSIBLE CAUSES RESEARCH (RAHIMA)

 

In BSF production processes, it is important to achieve the highest larval survival possible in order to reduce the demand for eggs and to achieve more efficiency in production. Previous small-scale studies have shown that BSFL mortality could depend on the substrate, temperature, and high water content in the substrate. BSFL mortality has been assessed in studies where there was a comparison between the different scales and densities, which also influence substrate temperature.

The observed mortality values vary in different studies. For example, Myers et al. have grown the larvae on pig manure and observed more than 20% mortality, and Nguyen et al. have observed mortality values ranging from 20% to 50% based on the feed used, while Oonincx et al.also observed much higher values. The interaction between mortality and temperature is indeed an interesting topic for future research