M.S. student 2005-2006
Current Position: Assistant Quality Assurance Manager for the United Dairymen of Arizona Tuscan, Arizona.
Black soldier flies, Hermetia illucens (L.), are a naturally occurring non-pest insect on decomposing materials and have been utilized in poultry and swine facilities to reduce associated animal waste. However, no information is available on the ability of this fly to reduce dairy manure. Heidi fed black soldier fly larvae on four daily-feeding regimens of either 27, 40, 54, or 70 g of dairy manure at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center in Stephenville, Texas. Immature and adult life history traits were examined for each regimen to determine which feeding regimen achieves maximum dry matter reduction and most efficient management of nitrogen and phosphorus. Her research was published in Environmental Entomology in 2008.