What is this tool intended for?

The BSFL Substrate Navigator is Designed to guide the selection of suitable organic waste substrates for rearing black soldier fly larvae. It allows users to explore and compare the performance of different substrates using multiple biological and waste reduction metrics, making it a decision-support tool for valorising organic waste via insect-based bioconversion.

How does this tool work?

The BSFL Substrate Navigator is an interactive web-based Software tool that compiles and analyses scientific data on how black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) perform on various organic waste substrates. It enables users to explore larval performance metrics (like growth, survival, bioconversion, and waste reduction) and nutrient content for each substrate, using data from published studies. The tool employs a scoring method based on median values for key performance indicators (e.g., fresh/dry larval weight, waste reduction, survival rate) and applies a quantile-based binning system to rank substrate performance (low/medium/high). Variability scores are calculated using normalized interquartile ranges (IQR) to indicate consistency across studies. This approach enables objective and comparable Assessment of different substrates while reducing the influence of outliers.

Who might use this tool and with which types of stakeholders?

The BSFL Substrate Navigator is intended for researchers exploring substrate characteristics, farmers aiming to produce larvae for Feed or other uses, waste management practitioners Designing BSFL-based treatment systems, entrepreneurs assessing feasibility of insect-based waste valorisation, and development professionals working in organic waste recycling, circular economy, or insect farming. It supports engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, including municipal authorities, agribusinesses, NGOs, and private sector actors, by providing evidence-based insights on the suitability of different organic waste streams—such as food waste, market waste, animal manure, or crop residues—for black soldier fly larvae production and resource recovery. It also supports educators and students studying entoTechnologies, waste management, and circular agriculture.

What stages of a process can this tool support?

The BSFL Substrate Navigator can support multiple stages of the decision-making process for black soldier fly (BSF) farming and organic waste management. It is particularly useful during the early stages of project Design and feasibility Assessment, helping users identify suitable organic waste substrates and compare their expected performance. It also aids in substrate selection and formulation during pilot planning, and can inform optimisation during implementation by guiding adjustments based on nutrient composition and bioconversion efficiency.

What skills, capabilities, and resources are required to use this tool?

The BSFL Substrate Navigator is Designed to be user-friendly and does not require advanced technical skills, making it accessible to a broad range of users including farmers, waste managers, researchers, and practitioners. Users should have a basic understanding of organic waste types and BSF rearing concepts to interpret the results meaningfully. Access to the internet and a device (computer or smartphone) is required to use the web-based interface, and users benefit from familiarity with performance metrics such as larval weight, bioconversion rate, and waste reduction indicators.

Case examples of where this tool has been used

The BSFL Substrate Navigator builds on experimental findings from over 80 peer-reviewed publications covering a wide range of substrates such as market waste, Faecal sludge, brewery waste, manure, spent grain, palm oil mill effluent, and kitchen waste. For instance, substrates like food waste, fruit and vegetable waste, and chicken manure consistently scored high in larval growth and waste reduction, while Materials like Faecal sludge showed high variability. Researchers have used the underlying data to optimise substrate mixes in locations such as Kenya, Ghana, Vietnam, and Switzerland. The tool is also supporting curriculum development for training farmers and sanitation entrepreneurs on circular organic waste solutions using BSFL.