Non-invasive measurements for characterization of Hermetia Illucens (BSF) life cycle in rearing plant

Black Soldier flies (BSFs) are very effective for the treatment of organic waste and their transformation into insect proteins and oils that can be used to produce feed and biofuels. An increasing number of startups and companies are breeding BSFs to take advantage of the numerous potential applications due to the larval diets. Although the breeding of BSF larvae requires artificially controlled conditions, methods for the characterization of the life cycle in production plan are lacking. Most of the analyses and procedures available in the literature cannot be used within the production lines of breeders. In the present study, an exploration of non-contact measurements (RGB video, thermal, Hyperspectral imaging) and of the analysis methodologies was carried out in order to identify the ones which are most significant for the different phases of the BSF life cycle, and which can be automated within the production lines. The result of the study was the definition of the criteria for the characterization, through non-contact measurements of the life cycle of the BSFs: computer vision algorithms based on image and data acquisitions were developed using 1) RGB camera for size / weight estimation and movement / vitality for the phases where the nutritional substrate is not present (pupae); 2) IR camera for the evaluation of movement / vitality for the phases where the nutrient substrate (larvae) is present and for the identification of temperature anomalies (metabolism too slow or too fast); 3) hyperspectral chamber to evaluate the growth of the larvae in relation to the chosen diet.