Effect of adult population density on egg production in the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

Park, kwanho,Kim, Wontae,Kim, Eunsun,Choi, Ji-Young,Kim, Sung-Hyun Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2016 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.33 No.2

The black soldier fly is economically important because its prepupae are used as feed for many animals, including fish and swine. In Korea, black-soldier-fly farms have attempted to increase annual breeding and mass egg production for use in animal feed, as well as the decomposition of organic waste. Such efforts require an understanding of optimal mating and oviposition techniques. Specifically, adult densities and cage size may both improve the efficiency of mass egg production. Our study used four sizes of nylon cages ($1.0{\times}1.0{\times}2.5m$, $1.5{\times}1.5{\times}2.5m$, $2.0{\times}2.0{\times}2.5m$, $2.5{\times}2.5{\times}2.5m$) and three density treatments (4 kg, 8 kg, and 10 kg of pupae) to investigate optimal habitat size and adult density. We found that cage size (independent of density) did not significantly influence female fecundity (number of egg clutches and egg weight), whereas higher densities increased egg number and weight regardless of cage size. Thus, we recommend manipulating adult density to enhance productivity in commercial black-soldier-fly farming. However, we also propose further detailed research to develop methods that account for seasonal changes and environmental conditions, as climatic variables (temperature, sunlight) likely influence female fecundity as well.

Effect of adult population density on egg production in the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

( Kwanho Park ),( Wontae Kim ),( Eunsun Kim ),( Ji-young Choi ),( Sung-hyun Kim ) 한국잠사학회 2016 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.33 No.2

The black soldier fly is economically important because its prepupae are used as feed for many animals, including fish and swine. In Korea, black-soldier-fly farms have attempted to increase annual breeding and mass egg production for use in animal feed, as well as the decomposition of organic waste. Such efforts require an understanding of optimal mating and oviposition techniques. Specifically, adult densities and cage size may both improve the efficiency of mass egg production. Our study used four sizes of nylon cages (1.0 × 1.0 × 2.5 m, 1.5 × 1.5 × 2.5 m, 2.0 × 2.0 × 2.5 m, 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 m) and three density treatments (4 kg, 8 kg, and 10 kg of pupae) to investigate optimal habitat size and adult density. We found that cage size (independent of density) did not significantly influence female fecundity (number of egg clutches and egg weight), whereas higher densities increased egg number and weight regardless of cage size. Thus, we recommend manipulating adult density to enhance productivity in commercial black-soldier-fly farming. However, we also propose further detailed research to develop methods that account for seasonal changes and environmental conditions, as climatic variables (temperature, sunlight) likely influence female fecundity as well.

Nutrient digestibility in black soldier fly larva was greater than in adults for pigs and could be estimated using fiber

김종건,Kwanho Park,Sang Yun Ji,김법균 한국축산학회 2023 한국축산학회지 Vol.65 No.5

The objectives of the present study were to determine the nutrient digestibility of fish meal, defatted black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), and adult flies and to develop equations for estimating in vitro nutrient digestibility of BSFL for pigs. In vitro digestion procedures were employed to mimic the digestion and absorption of nutrients in the pig intestine. Correlation coefficients between chemical composition and in vitro nutrient digestibility of BSFL were calculated. In Exp. 1, in vitro ileal digestibility (IVID) of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) and in vitro total tract digestibility (IVTTD) of DM and organic matter in defatted BSFL meal were less (p < 0.05) than those in fish meal but were greater (p < 0.05) than those in adult flies. In Exp. 2, CP concentrations in BSFL were negatively correlated with ether extract (r = −0.91) concentration but positively correlated with acid detergent fiber (ADF; r = 0.98) and chitin (r = 0.95) concentrations. ADF and chitin concentrations in BSFL were negatively correlated with IVID of DM (r = −0.98 and −0.88) and IVTTD of DM (r = −1.00 and −0.94) and organic matter (r = −0.99 and −0.98). Prediction equations for in vitro nutrient digestibility of BSFL were developed: IVID of CP (%) = −0.95 × ADF (% DM) + 95 (r2 = 0.75 and p = 0.058) and IVTTD of DM (%) = −2.09 × ADF + 113 (r2 = 0.99 and p < 0.001). The present in vitro experiments suggest that defatted BSFL meal was less digestible than fish meal but was more digestible than adult flies, and nutrient digestibility of BSFL can be predicted using ADF as an independent variable.

Artificial multiplication of the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratmyidae)

Jong-Gill Kim,Young-Cheol Choi,Ji-Young Choi,Won-Tae Kim,Gil-Sang Jeong,Sock-Jo Hwang 한국응용곤충학회 2008 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2008 No.10

In order to establish artificial indoor rearing techniques for the black soldier fly (BSF), we developed indoor rearing instructions and collection manual for each developmental stage of the fly. The fly collection was conducted between June and October at 1 month interval. Calf feed and food waste were most effective to attract adults. Collection efficiency is higher from the trap installed in a shady spot than that in an open spot. It was highest to collect flies in August and September. As the egg-laying medium for the artificial egg collection, calf feed and food waste were most effective. The optimal number of the medium (W*D*H=60*40*15cm) was 8 for 2000 adults (male:Female=1:1) in the egg-laying net (W*D*H=4*2*2m). Flower foams and wooden blocks with holes were used as egg-laying sites. Adult females preferred the holes on average 3~5mm in diameter and 7~10mm in depth for oviposition. Larvae reared in low density (2~4 individuals/㎠) showed superior practical traits than those reared in an overcrowded environment (6~10 individuals/㎠). It is important to place the fly pupae in moist sawdusts (humidity: 20~40%), since a pupa tends to hide in a refuge. Adult insects should be employed for laying eggs for food waste processing immediately after emergence. When treated at 10℃ for 10 days after pupation, emergence rate of the insect was still 93.3%. By keeping pupae at the low temperature, emergence timing could be manipulated with about 10 day flexibility.

Effect of adult population density on egg production in the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

박관호,김원태,김은선,최지영,김성현 한국잠사학회 2016 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.33 No.2

The black soldier fly is economically important because its prepupae are used as feed for many animals, including fish and swine. In Korea, black-soldier-fly farms have attempted to increase annual breeding and mass egg production for use in animal feed, as well as the decomposition of organic waste. Such efforts require an understanding of optimal mating and oviposition techniques. Specifically, adult densities and cage size may both improve the efficiency of mass egg production. Our study used four sizes of nylon cages (1.0 × 1.0 × 2.5 m, 1.5 × 1.5 × 2.5 m, 2.0 × 2.0 × 2.5 m, 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 m) and three density treatments (4 kg, 8 kg, and 10 kg of pupae) to investigate optimal habitat size and adult density. We found that cage size (independent of density) did not significantly influence female fecundity (number of egg clutches and egg weight), whereas higher densities increased egg number and weight regardless of cage size. Thus, we recommend manipulating adult density to enhance productivity in commercial black-soldier-fly farming. However, we also propose further detailed research to develop methods that account for seasonal changes and environmental conditions, as climatic variables (temperature, sunlight) likely influence female fecundity as well.

Temperature dependent development of black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from Yangtze River Delta region of China

Wang Yinghui,Zhang Yanan,Wang Jiangfeng,Kang Chengtao,Hu Gengwang,Guo Yi,Chen Jie,Yang Lijun,Wang Yu 한국응용곤충학회 2023 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.26 No.4

The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), isomnivorous andwidely distributed in the world. Black soldier flies usually colonize corpse at a relatively late stage and have a longer developmental time compared to other flies. It can serve as a good supplementary indicator for estimating a longer minimum postmortem interval (PMI min ) in forensic investigations. In this paper, the development of H. illucens was investigated at six constant temperatures between 19 and 34 ◦ C. Under temperatures of 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34 ◦ C, the mean developmental time from eggs to adults was 90.96, 58.29, 54.61, 42.33, 32.33 and 34.52 days, respectively. Developmental time and accumulated degree days results were used to construct thermal sum mation model and isomorphen diagram. The calculated values of lower developmental thresholds and thermal summation constant estimated by a linear model were 11.88 ◦ C and 650.89 degree days, respectively. Through a nonlinear model, the upper lethal developmental threshold temperature, intrinsic optimum temperature and lower developmental thresholds were estimated to be 35.18, 20.50 and 13.17 ◦ C, respectively. A growth curve, an equation and isomegalen diagram based on them show the relationship between developmental time and larval body length. The larval body length increased with increased developmental time and eventually pla teaued, revealing an S-shape growth curve. These results provide important basic developmental data for H. illucens, which can be used to estimate the PMI min .

Artificial Multiplication of the the Black Soldier Fly(BSF), Hermetia illucens(Diptera: Stratmyidae) for Using Food Waste

Young-Cheol Choi,Sang-Beom Lee,Kwan-Ho Park,Sung-Hee Nam,Jong-Gill Kim,Won-Tae Kim,Ji-Young Choi 한국응용곤충학회 2012 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2012 No.10

This study was conducted to investigated the distribution and ecological character of Black Soldier Fly(BSF), Hermetia illucens, to determine effects of BSF on composing ability to waste-food. The distribution of BSF was defined in all parts of the country in Korea. Its main habitat was found to be areas near cattle sheds, manure sheds, living waste dump grounds, and food waste dump grounds. Observed characteristics of BSF by developmental stage may be summarized as follows: eggs were a long oval shape of 886.9±19.7 ㎛ in major axis and 190.1±9.7 ㎛ in minor axis; they were 24.0±1.6 ㎍ in weight. One adult insect laid 1001±247 eggs in quantity; days to hatch from eggs (27℃, 60% R.H.) were 81.3±12.5 hours. Larvae which were hatched appeared to be close to white and turned into pale yellow as being last instar larva. Last instar larva ranged from 20.7±1.1 mm in size, the length of larval stage was approximately 15~20 days. Pupae exhibited red brown, 19.2±1.1 mm in size; pupal state lasted 15.5±1.4 days for female, 14.7±1.4 days for male, exhibiting the tendency of males having shorter period than females. Adult insects were sized about 13~20 mm and colored black.

Ecology of the Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratmyidae) in Korea

Jong-Gill Kim,Ji-Young Choi,Won-Tae Kim,Gil-Sang Jeong,Kwan-Ho Park,Young-cheol Choi 한국응용곤충학회 2009 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2009 No.05

This study was conducted to investigate the distribution pattern, ecological characteristics and life cycle of the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens, BSF). The BSF was widely distributed throughout Korea. The insect was mainly found in the vicinity of and in cattle sheds, manure sheds, living waste dump grounds, and food waste dump grounds. Developmental characteristics of the BSF are as follows: the egg was long oval shaped of 887㎛ in the major axis and 190㎛ in the minor axis; it weighed 24㎍. Female oviposited ca. 1,000 eggs on average; eggs hatched in 81 hours under laboratory condition (27℃, 60% R.H.). The duration of the larval stage was approximately 15-20 days. The size of the last instar larvae was 21mm. The cuticle of the pupae gradually acquired red-brown color and the size of them was 19 mm. The pupal stage was shorter for females (16 days) than males (15 days). Adults were sized about 13-20mm long and black-colored. The life span of adult insects was 5-8 days for the first generation (June-July), 7-10 days for the second generation (Aug.-Sept.), and 13-18 days for the third generation (Sept.-Oct.). Mating started on the next day of emergence and actively occurred at the third day after emergence. Mating mostly occurred between 10:00 and 16:00 during which light intensity is highest. Egg-laying started on the third day and was most frequent from the fourth to the sixth day after emergence. Similar to mating time, females oviposited mostly between 10:00 and 16:00.

Ecological Characteristic of the Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratmyidae) in Korea

Jong-gill Kim,Young-Cheol Choi,Ji-Young Choi,Won-Tae Kim,Beong-Do Park,Seok-Jo Hwang 한국응용곤충학회 2008 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2008 No.05

This study was conducted to investigated the distribution, ecological character and life cycle of Black Soldier Fly(BSF), Hermetia illucens. The distribution of BSF was defined in all parts of the country in Korea. Its main habitat was found to be areas near cattle sheds, manure sheds, living waste dump grounds, and food waste dump grounds. Observed characteristics of BSF by developmental stage may be summarized as follows: eggs were a long oval shape of 886.9±19.7 ㎛ in major axis and 190.1±9.7 ㎛ in minor axis; they were 24.0±1.6 ㎍ in weight. One adult insect laid 1001±247 eggs in quantity; days to hatch from eggs (27℃, 60% R.H.) were 81.3±12.5 days. Last instar larva ranged from 20.7±1.1 mm in size, the length of larval stage was approximately 15~20 days. Pupae exhibited red brown, 19.2±1.1 mm in size; pupal state lasted 15.5±1.4 days for female, 14.7±1.4 days for male, exhibiting the tendency of males having shorter period than females. Adult insects were sized about 13~20 mm and colored black. Mating started 2 days after emergence and was most active during the 3rd day. Mating mostly occurred between 10:00 and 16:00 during which light intensity is high. Laying eggs started 3 days after emergence and was most frequent during days 4~6. Time of laying eggs during the day was similar to copulation time, showing the highest laying rate between 10:00 and 16:00.

Potential Growth of the Decomposer Black Soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) in Food Wastes

( Sam Cho ),( Haegeun Chung ) 한국폐기물자원순환학회(구 한국폐기물학회) 2019 ISSE 초록집 Vol.2019 No.-

In this study, the effects of salinity in food waste on the growth of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae were investigated. A growth chamber (700 mm x 500 mm x 450 mm) was constructed and the black soldier fly larvae were incubated in the cages (135 mm x 102 mm x 68 mm) placed inside the chamber. The larvae were incubated at 30 °C for 15 days on food waste that have the salinity of 1 %, 2 %, and 3 %, which were adjusted using NaCl. The weight of black solider fly was measured every 2-3 days to determine its growth rate. The growth rate was calculated by dividing the weight increase of larva between day 0 to day 15 by 15 days. The growth chamber operated stably throughout the experiment and the temperature remained constant. The survival rate of the black soldier fly after 15 days of incubation was 75 % in the control group. On the other hand, the survival rate was lowered to 43 % for the black soldier fly incubated in food waste containing salinity of 3 %. The growth rate in the control group was 20.1 mg day^-1, whereas that under 1 %, 2 %, and 3 % of salinity was 17.0 mg day^-1, 16.3 mg day^-1, 16.1 mg day^-1, respectively. Our results show that salinity in the food waste has a larger effect on the survival rate than the growth rate. To utilize black soldier fly larvae for the treatment of food waste of varying levels of salinity and for their further use after treatment of food waste, safety evaluation would be required.