F.I. AIGBODION

The rising global population, expected to surpass 9 billion by 2050, has intensified the need for sustainable animal protein sources. Traditional livestock and aquaculture feeds, such as fishmeal and fish oil, pose ecological and economic challenges, necessitating alternative protein solutions. This study evaluated the potential of Hermetia illucens (Black Soldier Fly Larvae, BSFL) as a sustainable feed alternative by examining the effects of groundnut and watermelon household waste on their growth performance. The experiment utilized three dietary treatments: groundnut, watermelon, and a 1:1 mixture of both. Growth parameters, including weight gain, food conversion ratio (FCR), and proximate compositions were assessed. Results show that larvae fed the mixed diet exhibited the highest weight gain (59.33g) and the most efficient FCR (3.37), compared to groundnut (21.67g, FCR = 9.23) and watermelon (10.67g, FCR = 18.74). Proximate analysis reveals that groundnut provides higher protein (6.88%) and fat (5.67%), while watermelon contributes moisture (33.98%) but lower macronutrient levels. It was found that the mixture of watermelon and groundnut was the best diet for feeding H.illucens larva. The lowest food conversion ratio (3.37) of mixture indicates food utilization efficiency. Proximate analysis disclosed higher value for Fat, Ash, Crude fiber, Protein and Carbohydrate (Ash 0.07, 0.32, 0.56 and 0.81) respectively. In summary, the mixture of watermelon and groundnut is appears to be a better food for raising H.illucens larva.

Urban solid waste management is considered one of the most serious environmental problems confronting urban government in low and middle-income countries. However, there is a fairly novel approach of bio waste conversion by insect larvae, using the example Hermetia illucens.Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the influence of Yam and Eba waste on pre-adult developmental rate of Hermitia illucens. The effect of larval diets on developmental period, weight gain, survival, and sex ratio were analyzed. The mean developmental period (days) of larvae Yam, Mixture (yam/eba) and Eba diets were 40, 42 and 52 days respectively. There was no significant different in the developmental period. The Percentage survival for Eba, Yam and Mixture were 2.8%, 47.6% and 28% respectively which varied significantly. Yam and Mixture had more survival rate than Eba diet. The BSF fed with the Mixture diet had weight increase of 42.3% while the Yam diet had 26.8% and Eba diet had 21.4%. There was no significant variation in weight gain. The sex ratio of male to female varied significantly in Eba diet while Yam and Mixture varied non- ignificantly. Eba produced more females than male. The result of the proximate analysis carried out on the various diet revealed significant differences in diets. Yam diet had higher amount of dry matter, crude fibre and carbohydrate compared to Eba. The analysis of the results show that the type of diets play an important role in the population dynamics of Hermitia illucens as more larvae survived in yam diet.