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...their growth monitored. Statistical analysis of weight (g) (Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis Test) and snout-vent length (cm) (Welch ANOVA F-test) increases were significantly greater in groups of alligators fed 56% protein/11% fat or 45% protein/8% fat commercial feeds versus alligators fed BSF. Based on these results, BSF can not be recommended as a complete replacement for commercial feeds in young alligators.

Key words: Alligator mississippiensis, American Alligator, Black Soldier Fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens, nutrition.

INTRODUCTION

The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens Linnaeus; Diptera: Stratiomyidae) (BSF) has been used as feedstuff for poultry (1), swine (2), fish (3, 4) and frogs (Shepard, unpublished). Larvae have been fed experimentally to these species as a partial replacement for soybean or fish meal in a formulated diet. BSF produced on animal manure or restaurant food waste have been valued as a $500/ton feedstuff comparable to Menhaden fish meal (3, 4). Fat and protein meal fractions can be readily separated by commercial rendering plants. Pre-pupal BSF are 44% dry matter and are composed of 42% protein and 35% fat, including essential amino and fatty acids (1).

American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis Daudin; Crocodylia: Alligatoridae) have been raised commercially in the south for many years. More than 295,000 were harvested in commercial operations in Louisiana in the 2004 tag year with a market value of over $33 million (5). The diet of wild alligators changes over time and is influenced by the size of the individual (6). Research on the diets of wild alligators indicates alligators consume a diet high in protein and low in fat (7). Artificial diets consist of approximately 45% crude protein and 8% fat for older animals, and 56% protein with 11% fat for hatchlings (<41 cm total length) and juveniles (<122 cm total length). The feeds are a blend of fish meal, meat and bone meal, blood meal, and some vegetable protein (7). The pelleted feeds are further fortified with vitamins and minerals (7). Commercial diets are relatively expensive due to the need for animal based protein. Some producers continue to feed...

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