Abstract

Recently, insects have gained importance as viable protein-rich feedstuff with better productivity and feed efficiency for livestock and pet animal feeds. The most potential species are the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), and common house fly (Musca domestica). Amongst these insects, the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) contains high protein and fat with the amino acid profile in H. illucens larvae equivalent to that of various protein-rich feedstuffs, such as fish meal and soybean meal. This review aimed to illustrate the reputation of black soldier fly larva meal as a substitute to conservative, expensive, and ecologically threatening crops by guaranteeing a productive, inexpensive, organic, and perpetual source of non-conventional protein feedstuff for poultry production of broilers and layers. It can be concluded that the black soldier fly sometimes has very similar and significant effects on the productivity, health, and product quality of birds, compared to soybean and fishmeal. © 2022. All Rights Reserved.