BSF is a useful bug that resembles a wasp in the length of 13-20 mm. It produces 3 generations per year. An adult female leaves 600-800 eggs at a time. After a 2-4 day incubation period, it forms larvae, which will last 21-24 days. During the last phase of the larva form, the pupa term, they cease to eat, empty their guts, their mouth parts change to an appendage that aids climbing, and they seek a humid sheltered area to pupate. This period lasts around 14 days. These times may vary according to nutritional and environmental conditions. During the adult term, they only drink water, mate, lay eggs and die after 4-8 days. If there is enough water, the adult form lasts longer. The adult mates after 2 days and lays eggs 2 days after mating. The female fly tends to place its eggs in the cracks near the food source. The eggs crack after 4 days. At 80% humidity and 26 °C, 88% of the eggs return to larvae. BSF does not approach humans; it is not a good flyer; and it is not found to be the carrier of any pathogenic microorganism.
It is an organic fertilizer rich in plant nutrients, trace minerals, and plant growth enhancers. It does not contain any chemicals, and is 100% organic. It does not cause any harm to the surrounding environment. Except for the rich content it has in terms of nourishing elements, it significantly increases and changes the microbial life in the root zone when mixed into the soil. Vermicompost accelerates plant growth much more than the other organic products. It increases the soil’s water holding ability, and prevents diseases such as root rot from developing, by suppressing pathogenic microorganisms. The humus found in vermicompost prevents toxins, harmful fungi and bacteria from functioning in the soil. For this reason, vermicompost has the property to fight plant diseases.
Another natural advantage of vermicompost is its ability to trap heavy metals in the environment. This prevents plants from absorbing more of these chemical compounds than they need.
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