https://hermetia.blog/ English industry blog on Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly) farming by Marcos Aguayo. Operator notes on BSF farms, feed, frass, regulation and industry news. en Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:40:00 GMT https://hermetia.blog/blog/profitable-black-soldier-fly-farming/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/profitable-black-soldier-fly-farming/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:40:00 GMT What is in the English BSF operating manual, who it is for, and the thesis behind it: smaller plants close to waste, and unit economics before scale. https://hermetia.blog/blog/bsf-substrate-ash-tradeoffs/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/bsf-substrate-ash-tradeoffs/ Sun, 26 Jul 2026 08:02:56 GMT A new Waste Management meta-analysis puts ash beside protein and fat in BSFL process control, with useful thresholds for substrate pilots. https://hermetia.blog/blog/bsf-aquafeed-value-beyond-fishmeal-scarcity/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/bsf-aquafeed-value-beyond-fishmeal-scarcity/ Sun, 26 Jul 2026 00:09:26 GMT Innovafeed's warning: fishmeal spikes are not a BSF strategy. Scarcity opens the trial. 2% attractant or 5–10% health-window use has to hold after prices fall. https://hermetia.blog/blog/el-nino-aquafeed-resilience-bsf-qualification/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/el-nino-aquafeed-resilience-bsf-qualification/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 22:38:26 GMT The next El Niño is an aquafeed resilience test. BSF only helps if it is already qualified: specified, trialled and contractable before the shock. https://hermetia.blog/blog/peru-anchoveta-ban-aquafeed-feed-security/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/peru-anchoveta-ban-aquafeed-feed-security/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 04:58:54 GMT Peru's 2026 anchoveta ban and fishmeal near US$3,000/t are a feed-security shock. BSF is an alternative, not a tonne-for-tonne fishmeal replacement. https://hermetia.blog/blog/feed-security-input-sovereignty-aquaculture-insect-protein/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/feed-security-input-sovereignty-aquaculture-insect-protein/ Tue, 14 Jul 2026 09:47:16 GMT Aquaculture feed security is input sovereignty: 2026 fish oil at a decade low, insect meal up to 20% in salmon and trout, and EU substrate rules still tight. https://hermetia.blog/blog/eu-insect-feedstock-rules-bottleneck/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/eu-insect-feedstock-rules-bottleneck/ Sun, 12 Jul 2026 18:52:53 GMT The EU opened insect PAP for aqua, poultry and pig feed. Catering waste, manure and meat-and-bone meal stay banned. Substrate access is still the bottleneck. https://hermetia.blog/blog/bsf-fractions-rainbow-trout-oil-chitin-defatted-meal/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/bsf-fractions-rainbow-trout-oil-chitin-defatted-meal/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:14:07 GMT Riesenbach et al. tested BSF full-fat meal, defatted meal, oil and chitin in rainbow trout. 4% oil and 1% chitin helped in low-soy diets; high-soy did not. https://hermetia.blog/blog/low-inclusion-bsfl-high-soybean-rainbow-trout/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/low-inclusion-bsfl-high-soybean-rainbow-trout/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:13:07 GMT Ma et al. tested 2.5% and 5% whole-body or defatted BSFL in high-soy rainbow trout diets. The result is one of the clearest arguments for selling BSF as a complementary functional ingredient rather than only as fishmeal replacement. https://hermetia.blog/blog/functional-feed-additives-review-bsf-aquafeed-positioning/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/functional-feed-additives-review-bsf-aquafeed-positioning/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:12:07 GMT Onomu and Okuthe's 2024 review: position BSF as a functional aquafeed additive for health, resilience and feed efficiency, not crude protein. https://hermetia.blog/blog/fishmeal-tightness-bsf-aquafeed-opportunity/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/fishmeal-tightness-bsf-aquafeed-opportunity/ Sun, 28 Jun 2026 22:12:27 GMT Global fishmeal output fell 28% in Q1 2026 (IFFO). That tightness strengthens BSF in aquafeed as a planned ingredient, not a crude fishmeal substitute. https://hermetia.blog/blog/using-black-soldier-fly-larvae-meal-functional-additive-aquafeeds/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/using-black-soldier-fly-larvae-meal-functional-additive-aquafeeds/ Sun, 28 Jun 2026 21:59:29 GMT Aquaculture Magazine's review of functional feed additives is a useful prompt for the insect sector: BSFL meal may be more valuable as a targeted gut, immune and diet-stability tool than as a blunt fishmeal replacement story. https://hermetia.blog/blog/bsfl-mineral-biofortification-brewery-spent-grains/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/bsfl-mineral-biofortification-brewery-spent-grains/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 04:47:31 GMT Minerals in BSFL can be steered via substrate. A 2026 paper found brewery spent grains outperformed conventional feed for zinc and manganese accumulation. https://hermetia.blog/blog/bacillus-cereus-bsf-rearing-microbiological-safety/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/bacillus-cereus-bsf-rearing-microbiological-safety/ Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:49:19 GMT A new Food Microbiology paper reports that Bacillus cereus persisted through Hermetia illucens rearing, with larvae and frass requiring post-rearing treatment even when authorized substrates were used. https://hermetia.blog/blog/innovafeed-51-million-funding-bsf-industry-lessons/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/innovafeed-51-million-funding-bsf-industry-lessons/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:54:05 GMT Innovafeed raised €51 million as it concentrates BSF production at Nesle, folds Gouzeaucourt in, and tests whether industrial scale can turn into margin. https://hermetia.blog/blog/synergizing-chitosan-cold-tolerant-pgpbs-bsf-farming-cold-stress/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/synergizing-chitosan-cold-tolerant-pgpbs-bsf-farming-cold-stress/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:40:02 GMT Exploring how chitosan, especially sourced from black soldier flies, combined with cold-adapted plant growth-promoting bacteria offers a sustainable strategy to boost plant resilience under cold stress. https://hermetia.blog/blog/unlocking-natures-recycling-power-bsf-pretreatment-turning-tough-organic-waste-into-high-value-resources/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/unlocking-natures-recycling-power-bsf-pretreatment-turning-tough-organic-waste-into-high-value-resources/ Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:40:02 GMT Pretreatment plus black soldier fly larvae can open lignocellulosic waste. Nepal: >70% reduction. NEERI: up to 83.77% decomposed, ~25% to biomass. https://hermetia.blog/blog/reclaiming-extreme-land-black-soldier-fly-larvae-texas-am-innovation/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/reclaiming-extreme-land-black-soldier-fly-larvae-texas-am-innovation/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:40:02 GMT Texas A&M, funded by WoodNext: black soldier fly larvae plus robotics, AI and sensors to reclaim toxic soils. Tomberlin, Aguilar, Zheng and Liang. https://hermetia.blog/blog/bsf-frass-outperforms-chemical-fertilizer-lettuce-benin/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/bsf-frass-outperforms-chemical-fertilizer-lettuce-benin/ Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:40:02 GMT In recent trials, composted black soldier fly (BSF) frass at 20 t/ha outperformed chemical fertilizers in lettuce production and boosted soil health—showing major promise for sustainable agriculture. https://hermetia.blog/blog/unlocking-lauric-acid-from-black-soldier-fly-extraction-benefits-applications/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/unlocking-lauric-acid-from-black-soldier-fly-extraction-benefits-applications/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT Recent research reveals new methods of extracting lauric acid from Black Soldier Fly larvae, its bioactive benefits, and emerging industrial and health applications. https://hermetia.blog/blog/insulin-from-black-soldier-fly-whats-the-real-deal/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/insulin-from-black-soldier-fly-whats-the-real-deal/ Wed, 07 Jan 2026 10:40:02 GMT Exploring recent claims that black soldier fly biomass can be turned into pharmaceutical-grade insulin—what’s plausible now, what remains speculative, and why it matters for BSF farming. https://hermetia.blog/blog/how-emerging-storage-pests-feed-on-dried-bsf-larvae-and-what-farmers-can-do-about-it/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/how-emerging-storage-pests-feed-on-dried-bsf-larvae-and-what-farmers-can-do-about-it/ Tue, 06 Jan 2026 10:40:02 GMT Insights from a multi-omics study reveal how two beetle pests attack dried black soldier fly larvae, with takeaways to improve drying, storage, packaging, and pest control. https://hermetia.blog/blog/what-the-mdpi-study-on-mealworm-frass-means-for-bsf-centric-mushroom-growers/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/what-the-mdpi-study-on-mealworm-frass-means-for-bsf-centric-mushroom-growers/ Wed, 31 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT Exploring the implications of a 2025 MDPI study on mealworm frass and oyster mushrooms—and how these findings could translate to Black Soldier Fly systems, circular agriculture, and novel feed opportunities. https://hermetia.blog/blog/making-dirt-change-frass-phosphate-fix/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/making-dirt-change-frass-phosphate-fix/ Tue, 30 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT Nieto-Cantero et al.: BSF frass MFRV about 150% and mealworm about 180% vs mineral phosphate on lettuce in P-deficient calcareous soil. https://hermetia.blog/blog/turning-waste-into-wins-black-soldier-fly-larvae-african-catfish/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/turning-waste-into-wins-black-soldier-fly-larvae-african-catfish/ Wed, 24 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT Black soldier fly larvae in African catfish feed: Cameroon, Uzbekistan and Kenya trials on fishmeal replacement, growth, FCR, cost and frass. https://hermetia.blog/blog/failures-lessons-opportunities-bsf-2024-2025/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/failures-lessons-opportunities-bsf-2024-2025/ Sun, 21 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT 2024–2025 BSF failures: ENORM bankrupt, Inseco exited, Ÿnsect and Agronutris in court. The lesson is cost, regulation, offtake and cash, not biology. https://hermetia.blog/blog/how-bsfl-derived-palatants-are-redefining-shrimp-feed-innovation/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/how-bsfl-derived-palatants-are-redefining-shrimp-feed-innovation/ Fri, 19 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT Exploring how black soldier fly larvae enhancements are transforming feed intake, growth, and sustainability in shrimp diets https://hermetia.blog/blog/enorm-the-rise-and-bankruptcy-of-a-bsf-biofactory/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/enorm-the-rise-and-bankruptcy-of-a-bsf-biofactory/ Thu, 18 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT Enorm Biofactory raised €50 million for a 22,000 m² Danish BSF plant, entered reconstruction in April 2025, and was declared bankrupt on 30 October 2025. https://hermetia.blog/blog/integrating-bsf-farming-with-vegetable-push-pull-systems-for-one-health-innovations-out-of-east-africa/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/integrating-bsf-farming-with-vegetable-push-pull-systems-for-one-health-innovations-out-of-east-africa/ Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT Exploring how BSF farming scaled with VIPP creates a circular, One Health system in Kenya, Rwanda & Uganda https://hermetia.blog/blog/how-black-soldier-fly-meal-shapes-fish-fillet-quality-meta-analysis/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/how-black-soldier-fly-meal-shapes-fish-fillet-quality-meta-analysis/ Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT A 30-study meta-analysis: BSF meal helps carp and trout fillet quality more than gilthead seabream and salmon. Inclusion and species decide the trade-off. https://hermetia.blog/blog/how-and-why-ynsect-is-going-bankrupt/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/how-and-why-ynsect-is-going-bankrupt/ Sat, 13 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT Ÿnsect entered judicial liquidation on 4 December 2025 at Évry. About €600 million raised. 2022: ~€568,000 revenue against ~€90 million losses. https://hermetia.blog/blog/black-soldier-fly-composting-bengaluru-bold-experiment/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/black-soldier-fly-composting-bengaluru-bold-experiment/ Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT Bengaluru produces about 8,000 t/day of solid waste. The BSF plan: Terra Firma revival, Doddaballapur land, and four plants including Bidadi and Kanakapura. https://hermetia.blog/blog/bioactives-and-frass-dual-frontiers-bsf-research/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/bioactives-and-frass-dual-frontiers-bsf-research/ Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT How new discoveries in BSF bioactives and frass quality are converging to transform feed and fertilizer, and what BSF producers should know to stay ahead https://hermetia.blog/blog/unlocking-hidden-power-of-bsf/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/unlocking-hidden-power-of-bsf/ Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT 2025 BSF studies: antioxidant peptides PFCPK and ADFW, antimicrobial fractions, and gut-microbiome shifts that change feed formulation. https://hermetia.blog/blog/bsf-frass-and-biochar-synergy-building-soil-resilience-in-drought-conditions/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/bsf-frass-and-biochar-synergy-building-soil-resilience-in-drought-conditions/ Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT Exploring how black soldier fly larvae frass combined with biochar can enhance soil fertility, microbial life, and crop growth under drought stress. https://hermetia.blog/blog/exploring-new-value-chains-bsf-derived-materials-bioplastics-cosmetics/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/exploring-new-value-chains-bsf-derived-materials-bioplastics-cosmetics/ Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT BSF-derived materials beyond feed: chitin and chitosan, larval oil (lauric acid) and frass moving into cosmetics and experimental bioplastics. https://hermetia.blog/blog/forging-the-future-bsf-circular-agriculture-2035/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/forging-the-future-bsf-circular-agriculture-2035/ Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT Exploring how Black Soldier Fly farming is driving the transition to circular agriculture through markets, innovations, and sustainable solutions toward 2035. https://hermetia.blog/blog/scaling-bsf-modular-farms-global-regulations/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/scaling-bsf-modular-farms-global-regulations/ Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:40:02 GMT Modular BSF farms can cut infrastructure cost by up to 75%. The harder problem is the patchwork: EU substrates, US AAFCO/FDA, Asia-Pacific export rules. https://hermetia.blog/blog/end-of-soy-era-european-poultry-farmers-turning-to-insects/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/end-of-soy-era-european-poultry-farmers-turning-to-insects/ Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:00:00 GMT European poultry feed is ~70% of cost. Soy hit €514/t in 2022. EU 2023/1115 deforestation rules and on-farm BSF are the exit path in this post. https://hermetia.blog/blog/insect-meal-a-hypoallergenic-protein-for-pets/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/insect-meal-a-hypoallergenic-protein-for-pets/ Fri, 03 Jan 2025 22:07:48 GMT The pet food industry is increasingly innovating by adopting insect protein, especially Black Soldier Fly insect meal. What are the advantages? https://hermetia.blog/blog/black-soldier-flies-turning-waste-into-biofuel/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/black-soldier-flies-turning-waste-into-biofuel/ Thu, 29 Aug 2024 20:15:22 GMT Black soldier fly larvae turn waste into biofuel: about 15% of body weight as fats, then non-catalytic transesterification into biodiesel. https://hermetia.blog/blog/controlling-and-monitoring-pests-in-bsf-farms/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/controlling-and-monitoring-pests-in-bsf-farms/ Sat, 10 Aug 2024 17:53:18 GMT Controlling pests in BSF farms: moths, mites, spiders, houseflies. Insectius uses 4–5 cameras and computer vision to monitor 24/7. https://hermetia.blog/blog/tenebrio-molitor-vs-black-soldier-fly/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/tenebrio-molitor-vs-black-soldier-fly/ Thu, 01 Aug 2024 11:08:06 GMT Tenebrio molitor vs black soldier fly: 90-day mealworm cycle for human food or live feed, versus 14-day BSF that can price closer to fishmeal. https://hermetia.blog/blog/how-to-create-your-black-soldier-fly-farm/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/how-to-create-your-black-soldier-fly-farm/ Wed, 31 Jul 2024 19:19:04 GMT How to start a black soldier fly farm: warehouse licenses, trays, neonates and 26–29°C. You sell meal, oil and frass, not live larvae. https://hermetia.blog/blog/nutritional-profile-of-black-soldier-fly-larvae/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/nutritional-profile-of-black-soldier-fly-larvae/ Thu, 25 Jul 2024 12:10:47 GMT Black Soldier Fly larvae are gaining attention for their impressive nutritional content and potential as a sustainable protein source. https://hermetia.blog/blog/the-history-and-global-spread-of-black-soldier-flies/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/the-history-and-global-spread-of-black-soldier-flies/ Thu, 25 Jul 2024 11:32:05 GMT Black soldier fly history: Linnaeus named Musca illucens in 1758, Latreille moved it to Hermetia in 1805, then a near-global spread from the Neotropics. https://hermetia.blog/blog/black-soldier-fly-organic-waste-management/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/black-soldier-fly-organic-waste-management/ Thu, 25 Jul 2024 10:46:53 GMT Black soldier fly organic waste management: larvae convert waste into feed protein (up to 42%) and frass, on a ~45-day cycle, with lower CO2 than composting. https://hermetia.blog/blog/benefits-of-bsf-in-improving-soil-quality/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/benefits-of-bsf-in-improving-soil-quality/ Thu, 25 Jul 2024 10:40:02 GMT The Black Soldier Fly larvae are transforming agriculture by converting organic waste into high-quality fertilizer, known as frass, which significantly enhances soil quality. https://hermetia.blog/blog/benefits-of-the-black-soldier-fly-for-chickens-and-birds/ https://hermetia.blog/blog/benefits-of-the-black-soldier-fly-for-chickens-and-birds/ Thu, 25 Jul 2024 09:47:50 GMT The Black Soldier Fly has become increasingly popular as a poultry nutritional supplement. These insects offer substantial advantages for avian diets and health.