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Category: Project

Description: At least 200 billion black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens; Diptera: Stratiomyidae) are reared each year as food and feed, and the insect farming industry is projected to continue rapidly growing. Despite interest by consumers, producers, and legislators, no empirical evidence exists to guide producers in practicing humane – or instantaneous – slaughter for these novel mini-livestock. Many methods may be employed to slaughter black soldier fly larvae, such as freezing, boiling, or grinding; however standard operating procedures (SOPs) and equipment design may affect the likelihood of instantaneous death using these different methods. We tested how larval body size at time of slaughter and particle size plate hole diameter affect the likelihood of instantaneous death for black soldier fly larvae that are slaughtered using a standard meat grinder. Larval body size did not affect the likelihood of instantaneous death for larvae that are 106 - 175 mg in mass. However, particle size plate hole diameter had a significant effect on the likelihood of instantaneous death, with only 54% of larvae experiencing an instant death when using the largest particle size plate (12 mm hole diameter) compared to 84% using the smallest particle size plate (2.55 mm). However, a higher percentage of instantaneous death (up to 99%) could be achieved by reducing the proportion of larvae that become stuck in the machine and are thus incompletely slaughtered. We conclude by outlining specific recommendations to support producers in achieving a 99% instantaneous death rate through specific standard operating procedures to be used with similarly-designed machines. We also develop a protocol for producers that wish to test their own grinding machines and SOPs, to determine the percentage of larvae that experience an instantaneous death in their facility.