Impact of larval digestion of different manure types by the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) on volatile emissions

Livestock manure is an increasingly abundant resource that when not managed properly can have detrimental impacts to both human and environmental health.  As manure decomposes it releases volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the environment many of which are responsible for noxious odors, acid rain, the accumulation of ozone and other negative effects.

Hermetia illucens, (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) is a non-pest species that could be an attractive means of manure management. The larvae of this species are capable of reducing manure dry matter, pathogens, and house fly populations.  While black soldier fly larvae can reduce nitrogen and phosphorus content in manure, their impact on volatile emissions has yet to be studied.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of larval digestion on VOC emissions from dairy, poultry and swine manure. Larvae were fed one of two feed rates daily and VOC emissions were taken when 90% of the larvae reached the pupal stage. Using GC-MS, VOC emissions were compared across treatments. Non-metric multidimensional scaling followed by permanova (P < 0.05) were used to assess differences in VOC composition across treatment.