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VOL. 11, ISSUE 2 (2026)
From kitchen waste to ecological resource: Natural colonization and waste conversion potential of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) in central India
Authors
Dr. Arjun Shukla, Shivanjali Tiwari
Abstract
The increasing accumulation of household
organic waste has emerged as a major environmental challenge in rapidly
urbanizing regions of India. Although the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia
illucens Linnaeus, 1758) is widely recognized for its remarkable waste
bioconversion capacity under laboratory and industrial conditions, information
regarding its natural colonization and ecological role in domestic waste
ecosystems remains limited. The present study investigated the natural
occurrence, substrate preference, colonization dynamics, and waste conversion
potential of H. illucens in household organic waste under natural
environmental conditions in Sanjivani Nagar, Jabalpur, Central India. A
seven-month observational study was conducted from October 2025 to April 2026
using different categories of household organic waste, including fruit
residues, vegetable waste, mixed kitchen waste, and other biodegradable
materials. Natural colonization by Black Soldier Fly larvae was monitored under
ambient environmental conditions, and observations were recorded on larval
abundance, substrate preference, colonization period, and waste reduction
efficiency. The study revealed that fruit-based substrates, particularly
banana, papaya, mango, and watermelon residues, attracted significantly higher
larval populations and exhibited faster colonization compared to
vegetable-based wastes. Larval activity accelerated organic matter
decomposition and substantially reduced waste volume, highlighting the species’
efficiency as a natural bioconversion agent. The findings indicate that
household organic waste serves as an important ecological niche for naturally
occurring BSF populations, which contribute to nutrient recycling and organic
waste reduction without human intervention. A strong association was observed
between larval abundance and moisture-rich organic substrates, suggesting that H.
illucens may also have potential as a biological indicator of organic waste
accumulation and decomposition dynamics in urban environments. Furthermore, the
study demonstrates the ecological significance of BSF as a natural
bio-recycling engineer capable of converting biodegradable waste into valuable
biological resources. This investigation represents one of the first
field-based observations of naturally colonizing Black Soldier Fly populations
in household organic waste systems from Central India. The results highlight
the potential of H. illucens for decentralized waste management,
circular bioeconomy initiatives, and sustainable environmental conservation,
while providing baseline ecological information for future research on
insect-mediated waste valorization in tropical urban ecosystems.
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Pages:411-415
How to cite this article:
Dr. Arjun Shukla, Shivanjali Tiwari "From kitchen waste to ecological resource: Natural colonization and waste conversion potential of black soldier fly (<i>Hermetia illucens</i>) in central India". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 11, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 411-415
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