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Black soldier fly larvae composting manure © Aga Krisnanda Dreamstime.com |
of waste are produced daily by stabled horses, and disposal can be costly, labour-intensive, and environmentally problematic. In addition to the sheer quantity of manure generated, its nutrient composition can vary widely, and it may also contain residues of veterinary medications such as moxidectin, a commonly used antiparasitic drug. These factors complicate composting and land application practices, prompting researchers to explore more sustainable and efficient waste-management solutions.
A novel study led by Yanting Guo at the University of Findlay, Ohio, investigated whether black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) could provide an innovative biological approach to processing horse manure. The research examined the ability of BSFL to reduce manure mass while transforming nutrients into potentially useful by-products such as natural fertiliser.
Black soldier flies are increasingly attracting scientific and agricultural interest because of their remarkable waste-processing abilities. Unlike common houseflies and blowflies, black soldier flies are not considered pests to humans. Adult flies possess greatly reduced mouthparts and consume little or no food, meaning they do not regurgitate material or spread pathogens in the way houseflies commonly do. Their larvae are also substantially larger and more competitive than other fly species, often suppressing the development of nuisance flies by consuming resources before other larvae can establish themselves. As a result, BSFL-based composting systems tend to produce less odour and are generally considered more hygienic and environmentally friendly.
The study evaluated how effectively BSFL could process horse manure collected from four horses treated with moxidectin. Researchers compared larvae raised on manure with a control group fed standard chicken feed. Over the course of the experiment, the team assessed larval survival, growth rates, dry mass reduction, and nutrient transformations within the manure.
The results were highly encouraging. Black soldier fly larvae demonstrated exceptionally high survival rates of between 98 and 100 percent across all feeding substrates, indicating that horse manure, even when containing pharmaceutical residues, could successfully support larval development.
Interestingly, larvae reared on horse manure initially outperformed those fed chicken feed. During the first half of the experimental period, the manure-fed larvae achieved greater body weight and longer body length than the control group, suggesting that horse manure may provide a surprisingly effective nutritional resource for BSFL growth. Growth later plateaued during the second half of the trial, but the larvae remained healthy and viable throughout.
One of the most important findings involved waste reduction. Within just 15 days, BSFL treatment significantly reduced the dry mass and carbon content of the manure. This demonstrates the larvae’s impressive ability to rapidly break down organic waste material, potentially reducing the volume of manure requiring storage or disposal on equine properties.
The study also revealed important changes in nutrient composition following larval treatment. Levels of total phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, and copper decreased after processing. However, several valuable nutrients — including total nitrogen, available phosphorus, sodium, sulphur, boron, and iron — were largely retained. The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio also remained relatively stable, suggesting the remaining material may still possess strong fertiliser value for agricultural use.
Overall, the findings demonstrate that black soldier fly larvae could offer a practical and environmentally sustainable strategy for managing horse manure. By simultaneously reducing waste volume and converting manure into nutrient-rich fertiliser material, BSFL systems may provide horse owners and equine facilities with an innovative approach to improving manure management while supporting circular agricultural practices.
For more details, see:
Yanting Guo, Victoria Ritzler, Susan Grube,
Bioconversion of horse manure using black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae: growth, waste reduction and nutrient dynamics,
Next Research (2026) Vol 9,101726.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexres.2026.101726
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