Use of black soldier fly Hermetia illucens larvae in diets for cultivation of whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in aquaculture (world-wide literature review)

Cultivation of whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei is overviewed, data on this species yield in the world aquaculture are presented, and information from world-wide literature sources on using the larvae of black soldier fly Hermetia illucens in feed rations for this shrimp species are summarized. Morphology and life cycle of H. illucens are considered briefly. Protein and fatty acid contents of the native and defatted larvae are investigated in details and effectiveness of insect larvae usage for feeding fish and invertebrates in aquaculture is concluded. In diets for growing and adult whiteleg shrimp, the fish meal can be replaced by the feeds produced from fatty and defatted H. illucens larvae in amounts from 5 to 100 % with positive effect on growth and physiological and morphological parameters of cultivated shrimps. The replacement of fish meal in 30 % is optimal for their growth and physiological development. The larval fat, three by-products of the larvae (exuviae, cocoons, imago), and compost of the wastes can be used for the shrimp feeding, as well.