Black soldier fly and uric acid-degrading bacteria contribute to bioconvert duck manure in an efficient manner.

Duck manure, a major pollutant of intensive poultry production, is characterized by high organic load and nutrient content. However, the high water content of duck manure virtually impedes effective manure management. Here, we report the suitability of duck manure as a rearing substrate for larvae of black soldier fly Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), achieving a corresponding reduction in organic liquid waste. First, duck manure efficiently sustains the development and growth of black soldier fly larvae and is optimized to rear black soldier fly larvae by appropriately adding corn stalk powders. More importantly, the microbiome plays a key role in promoting black soldier fly larvae to bioconvert the duck manure nutrients into insect biomass. Finally, the larval frass exhibited suppressive effects against the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum (Burkholderiales: Burkholderiaceae). Overall, black soldier fly larvae and the microbiome contribute to valorize and bioconvert duck manure in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner, supporting a circular economy.