Evaluating sawdust as a bulking agent to enhance Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) performance and survival in potato peels

Title of Dataset:
Evaluating sawdust as a bulking agent to enhance Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) performance and survival in potato peels

Research Hypothesis:
We hypothesised that incorporating sawdust as a non-nutritive bulking agent into high-moisture potato peel substrates enhances the growth, yield, and survival of Hermetia illucens larvae by improving substrate aeration and moisture balance.

Data Description and Methods:
This dataset contains experimental data from a laboratory study conducted at the University of Venda. The aim was to evaluate the effect of varying sawdust inclusion levels (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) on the performance of BSFL reared on a standardised substrate of pulverised potato peels (40 kg) and spent grain (10 kg), with moisture content adjusted to 82% across treatments.

Key data collected includes:

Individual larval weight over time (sampled every two days)

Growth rate (g/day)

Final larval yield per tray (g dry weight)

Larval survival (%)

Treatment-level data including sawdust and water amounts, substrate composition, and moisture balance calculations

Each treatment was replicated eight times. The rearing took place in a controlled environment using a staggered tray system to regulate temperature and humidity via infrared heating and ventilation. Larvae were sampled repeatedly for growth tracking, and harvest metrics were collected at the prepupal stage.

Notable Findings:

Sawdust inclusion at 10–15% significantly improved larval growth rate and yield compared to the Control and 5% sawdust treatments.

No significant differences in larval survival were found across treatments (all above 65%), but 5% inclusion showed the highest survival rate.

Peak larval weight was reached around day 10 post-inoculation, followed by weight reduction indicating the onset of metamorphosis.

Sawdust likely improved substrate porosity and moisture regulation, facilitating enhanced larval movement and feeding efficiency.

How the Data Can Be Interpreted and Used:
This dataset provides insight into how physical modifications of substrate using bulking agents can influence BSFL rearing outcomes. The data can be used to:

Model BSFL growth trajectories under different substrate structures

Optimise bulking agent inclusion levels for industrial-scale BSFL farming

Design substrate preparation protocols for high-moisture organic waste streams

Explore moisture management strategies in insect-based bioconversion systems

Format: Excel Workbook (.xlsx)