“We feed the waste into the tray-based system where the larvae are feasting as they grow.

“There is a giant opportunity to do better with waste, to reduce landfill and emissions and generate value by producing sustainable locally produced protein to feed pets and aquaculture.”

Zenger said the research will inform a growing fly farming industry.

“You need to know what’s happening on-far – which family is contributing to who, what genetics are passed on to each generation and are you maintaining the best genetics on farm,” he said.

“You’ve got thousands of flies together. Do they all breed together or only a few males and a few females? If that happens, you might get inbreeding over time and ... a genetic reduction of performance.”

Similar to other agricultural production systems, Zenger hopes to develop larger volumes of bigger larvae.

“It’s a win-win situation, reducing waste and producing a new viable product that is sustainable and has high economic value,” he said.

It follows a similar research project announced in August by the University of Queensland that aims to produce better waste-munching flies.

AAP