Today, I went on an excursion to a friends poultry and pig farm located along Ikorodu-Ijebu-Ode Road. I found Black Soldier Fly Larva crawling away from the manure dunghill to a dry area to pupate. I got so excited.

I was actually planning to import from the US when I'm ready to start working with them. All the documentation I have read about BSF described it in a manner that gave me the impression that this specie of flies have not been migrated to West Africa. (Jason Drew is working and making money from rearing flies in South Africa).

Having see BSFL in the bush at Ikorodu, you should have it in your farm anywhere in the South-West to South-South (rain-forest/tropical zones) as well, if you introduce the right conditions to attract them- a suitable substrate with a fly-attracting odour, some shade over the substrate...

Now, go check the surrounding of your pig or chicken shit dunghill.

If you don't know anything about Black Soldier Fly Larva (BSFL), Google it. Also check for Agriprotein, Enviroflight...

I have come across larva like that while growing maggots. I even get rid of them thinking they are dangerous. thanks bro

We have many of them in my dad's farm, we kill them on a regular basis with insecticides

Baba, we eat it with efo riro..

Oh lord!! Astro, and efo riro. I never knew the name till now, I just know momsi used to put it in our meals.

Yoruba name for it is kaani.
It makes outright sense.

@OP,

This is very exciting news. I erroneously thought that there were no (Naija) native species of the BSF.

Thanks for making my day.

Those are not BSFLs but latrine fly larvae

Cc peterbabs FarmTech midastouch

Those are not BSFLs but latrine fly larvae

You're probably right, @Practikals!

I've never heard of latrine fly larva, though we're all familiar with the fly. I know them as maggots and they're bigger than the maggots of the regular house fly.

I Google-d for latrine fly larva, and found the Wikipedia entry for it under Chrysomya megacephala. But there was no image of the larva that looks like the one in the first picture I posted. The first picture I posted is the same as the images of mature BSFL you'll find online.

When next I see the larva, I shall look around the habitat for the BSF fly itself and update this thread.

I must say, there were lots of C. megacephala around the gutters on the farm premises.

Thanks for the comment.

Today, I was at my friend’s farm again, and I decided to do as promised- Locate the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) in the neighbourhood of the manure pile where I had seen the larvae I earlier posted.
And, YES, I did find them, and I’ve brought pictures to update the thread.

@Praktikals
FYI

How can you help me get the larvae? Are you sure they are BSFL as other larvae cannot coexist with BSFL. This is another benefit of rearing BSF as they take care of flies on the farm.

mfm04622:
How can you help me get the larvae? Are you sure they are BSFL as other larvae cannot coexist with BSFL. This is another benefit of rearing BSF as they take care of flies on the farm.

My friend who owns the farm has suddenly realised how valuable it is to have that on his farm. He has decided to commercialise it.

Where's your location?

If you're in the South-West, your best bet is to look for a manure pile at a poultry farm or pig farm. If there's vegetation beside the manure pile, or the manure pile is under shade, then use a stick to dig up a layer of manure that has been there for more than a week. You will likely see maggots.
If you look around the vegetation, you will likely see the Black Soldier Flies itself.
You need to know the difference between the larvae of house fly and BSF. House fly larvae leaps while BSFL crawls. House fly larvae reaches maturity in 4days, BSFL takes at least 2weeks.

If you are unable to do as advised, then my friend will be so happy to make money from you. LOL!!!

;DThank you so much for your info. I didn't really think of them as important until now. People kill them around here.

what is bsf larva used for?

I am interested in BSF breeding. can anyone help me with the pupae to start my BSF farm?

Adesegunt,
I replied your email

BSF larvae is used for waste reduction and thereafter, animal feed. Think of it as maggots in fish feed. It's a very good source of protein.
Some people eat it in Australia

billyG:
what is bsf larva used for?

@peterbabs

Thank you for confirming my suspicions. I was driving in Abuja (around Secretariat, CBD) when I saw an insect perching on my windshield that looked exactly like the BSF that I have seen online in pictures and videos.

There you have it people, confirmed sightings in Middlebelt Region and Western Region. At least it is found in Nigeria. Big Money is smelling

Peterbabs I have seen your mail and have dropped you a reply. Please let us connect. I already have a red worm bin in my house which is thriving very well after two failed attempts. In my further research, I found that the black soldier fly is a more voracious composter. Imagine what we can do with this insect in dealing with our large organic waste and as a food supplement for fish and poultry. I am in solution mode so I like to get my hands on some crubs.

@ CeeteeOoo The money has been smelling around me for some months now. There is a BSF website that maps BSF sighting around the world. It would be nice to provide an update on this website that BSF are in Nigeria because right now it is shown to be present only in South Africa, Ghana and Kenya. Imagine the social economic benefit of this insect. I have basically concluded that this insect was created by God to serve man. I am amazed at their value.

Adesegunt:
@ CeeteeOoo The money has been smelling around me for some months now. There is a BSF website that maps BSF sighting around the world. It would be nice to provide an update on this website that BSF are in Nigeria because right now it is shown to be present only in South Africa, Ghana and Kenya. Imagine the social economic benefit of this insect. I have basically concluded that this insect was created by God to serve man. I am amazed at their value.

Insects are going to be a major part of human nutrition(directly and indirectly) in the not so distant future. I even read a FAO report recently and they backed their call for more insect inclusion in our diets with a Bible verse from Leviticus 6 or thereabouts. I found that very interesting. By the way, you mentioned you vermicompost with redworms, are you a backyard gardener/farmer? I learnt they make very good organic manure.

RoyalPriesthuud:
Insects are going to be a major part of human nutrition(directly and indirectly) in the not so distant future. I even read a FAO report recently and they backed their call for more insect inclusion in our diets with a Bible verse from Leviticus 6 or thereabouts. I found that very interesting. By the way, you mentioned you vermicompost with redworms, are you a backyard gardener/farmer? I learnt they make very good organic manure.

Yes I have a red worm bin it is about 2 months old now very beautiful looking vermicompost in my bin. I understand It is the best organic fertilizer. I am a backyard farmer for now with a pilot aquaponics farm and now I plan to raise some tomatoes and other crops using the vermicompost also as a pilot to see the outcome. I am an advocate for organic food void of the chemicals from commercial fertilizers. There is a plan to expand when I have acquired the experience.

Adesegunt:


Yes I have a red worm bin it is about 2 months old now very beautiful looking vermicompost in my bin. I understand It is the best organic fertilizer. I am a backyard farmer for now with a pilot aquaponics farm and now I plan to raise some tomatoes and other crops using the vermicompost also as a pilot to see the outcome. I am an advocate for organic food void of the chemicals from commercial fertilizers. There is a plan to expand when I have acquired the experience.

This is the kind of stuff I like too. Do you stay home or abroad. I asked because it's the first time I see anyone with a red worm bin in his backyard here. I'd like to put together a BSFL bin too to feed chickens and for a small backyard clarias pond.

RoyalPriesthuud:
This is the kind of stuff I like too. Do you stay home or abroad. I asked because it's the first time I see anyone with a red worm bin in his backyard here. I'd like to put together a BSFL bin too to feed chickens and for a small backyard clarias pond.

I live in Port-Harcourt. The world has become a global village so any good practice aboard should be replicated here and one of such is vermicomposting for organic farming. I also want to breed the black soldier fly, but yet to get the feed stock to commence either in larve or pupae stage. I am hoping We can get help on this forum in this regard.

Anyone that can help. Please contact me my mail through this forum. It would be much appreciated.

Adesegunt:


I live in Port-Harcourt. The world has become a global village so any good practice aboard should be replicated here and one of such is vermicomposting for organic farming. I also want to breed the black soldier fly, but yet to get the feed stock to commence either in larve or pupae stage. I am hoping We can get help on this forum in this regard.

Anyone that can help. Please contact me my mail through this forum. It would be much appreciated.

I'm equally an organic guy, especially when it comes to fruit and veggies. I'll beep you if I find any leads.

I'm interested in the bsf larva..
Someone with concrete lead should fill me in.. I'll pay even

rockyk:
I'm interested in the bsf larva..
Someone with concrete lead should fill me in.. I'll pay even

I've been seeing the larvae everywhere there's a Poultry or Piggery dung under shade. Just dig 1 or 2 inches into the dung that's more than 2 weeks old under shade. You'll see them plenty!!

Where in ikorodu precisely

Iganke, after Agbowa

Please his the black fly larvae? Please I need response

I mean black fly

cashtrend:
Please his the black fly larvae? Please I need response

The picture is not clear enough. But it does look like it.

Dear Mr. Peter Babalola (PeterBabs). My name is Babatunde Adebiyi and I must admit that I am impressed reading your contributions in Nairaland. Of immediate interest to me was researching about BSF larvae and you mentioned that it can be obtained on your friend'1s farm at Akowa, Ikorodu Lagos. This is my reason for contacting you. I am a civil servant in Abuja that runs a poultry. I also run a farm. All my research points to using BSF larvae as feed for the chickens but it has been difficult to get them. I humbly request that you help me get some from your friend. The quantity may be about 100 grams in weight or more. I understand that your friend may want a bit of money for this. This I am ready to offer. And also I shall willingly be responsible for the cost of logistics of sending it across. My phone number is 08036673825. I wish you a great year 2018. I pray that the year shall be a year of success and accomplishments to you and your loved ones. I wish you peace, good health and prosperity. Thank you.