How do we tackle our global food waste problem? The answer might be buzzing under our noses. Black soldier flies could be the missing link in a circular economy, turning food scraps into a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics.
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They're in the same family as houseflies and mosquitos but these flies are no pest. Rather, their ability to rapidly break down organic food waste has seen a global uptick in black soldier fly farming.
Researchers at Southern Cross University are investigating the commercial avenues of the insects through a black soldier fly farm established at the Northern Rivers campus.
"They're particularly unique because they break down organic matter really well," says Professor Nigel Andrew, entomologist and Chair of Science.
"The larvae do the voracious feeding in compost. One female adult can produce between 200 and 400 eggs and the larvae can consume twice their body size in a day. So, when you have a couple hundred larvae, they can be extremely efficient at breaking down food waste."
This rapid consumption of food waste can prevent it from entering landfill while also limiting the emission of greenhouse gases. It tackles a major problem in Australia, with around 7.6 million tonnes of food waste created each year, accounting for 3 per cent of Australia's annual greenhouse gas emissions, according to the 2021 National Food Waste Strategy Feasibility Study .
Originating from Central and South America, black soldier flies have now colonised most inhabited regions of the world but, unlike many introduced species, aren't considered a threat to local environments.
"This a special species that has actually become beneficial with a global distribution. A lot of other species which are associated with humans become pests," Professor Andrew says.
Not only do these insects break down waste, their exoskeletons could also be used to create a natural polymer that could replace nonbiodegradable plastic. Dr Lachlan Yee, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, is applying polymer science to transform chitin extracted from the larvae cocoons into chitosan.
"It's a natural polymer, so it's designed to break down and compost in the environment," Dr Yee says.
"There are quite expansive applications for this polymer such as wound dressing, as it also contains antibacterial properties."
The flies can also be used as a protein source in animal feed for industries such as aquaculture and poultry, with the broken-down organic matter, known as frass, used as a fertiliser additive.
Lecturer and researcher in entrepreneurship and innovation in the Faculty of Business, Law and Arts, Dr Owen Hogan says part of the research project includes investigating the commercial avenues of black soldier fly farms.
"We're not only looking at the science behind black soldier flies, but also how this farming method can scale commercially. Our research involves exploring how black soldier fly enterprises are developing in Australia and around the world—especially how they fit into regenerative and circular economy models," he says.
"Black soldier fly farming is driving a wave of entrepreneurial activity—from large-scale operations in Europe and Asia to emerging start-ups across Australia. By offering black soldier fly-derived products and services, these businesses are not only supporting the transition to circular, regenerative systems but also generating real economic value for Australian industries, regional areas and local communities."
The project is part of the University's ZeroWaste Research Cluster , a collection of research aiming to transform waste into resources.
"Our research forms part of the Northern Rivers Regional Circular Economy Accelerator, or Recirculator , which is Federally-funded," says Dr Yee.
"The circular economy is about redesigning systems to keep materials—such as food waste—in use and out of landfill. We're able to breed multi-generations of flies and produce biodegradable polymers, which address the issue of synthetic plastics causing harm in the environment.
"Closing the loops and allowing resources to go around and around, that is the whole notion of circular economy."
A number of businesses in Lismore are supplying the on-campus black soldier fly farm, including the Quick Brown Fox and La Baracca. Dr Yee explains: "The leftover calories from a restaurant plate are literally powering our farm. So, we're tapping into all of that energy."
Masters by Research student Risa Otake, fondly dubbed the 'Mother of the Flies', is investigating how changes in the diet of black soldier flies impacts the production of chitin in their exoskeleton.
"I have been changing the ratio of meat and vegetables in their diet to see how it affects the amount of chitin in the black soldier flies," Ms Otake says.
"I hope my study will help increase the chitin source in Australia and also the world."
It's a timely reminder to think twice before throwing food scraps in the kitchen bin. Whatever you can't eat, black soldier flies will.
