Saproxylic beetles are species that depend on dead or dying wood for at least part of their lifecycle. They are considered to play a key role in the degradation and recycling of lignified compounds in natural ecosystems. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated the existence of symbiotic relationships between atmospheric nitrogen (N2) fixing bacteria and different species of beetles in their gut. These symbioses allow beetles to survive in nitrogen-poor environments and could provide leverage to enrich these environments with nitrogen through the release of their excrement.
Following the example of the widespread composting of easily degradable wastes with earthworms (vermicomposting), the use of saproxylic insect larvae in green waste composts is being studied by FiBL France. It could be a suitable solution to optimize the physico-chemical and microclimatic parameters necessary for green waste composting, accelerating the process and improving the quality of the composts produced.
Fondation Alpes Controle (Alpes Controle Foundation)
