Photophase Duration Affects Immature Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Development.

Area of Science:

• Entomology
• Insect Physiology
• Sustainable Agriculture

Background:

• Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is a promising source of alternative protein.
• Understanding environmental factors influencing its development is key for industrial applications.
• Photoperiod is a critical environmental cue for insect development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of varying photophase durations on black soldier fly development.
• To determine optimal light conditions for enhancing black soldier fly mass-rearing.
• To provide data for optimizing industrial production of black soldier fly for feed.

Main Methods:

• Larval eclosion, development time, and adult emergence were measured under 0, 8, and 12 hours of light.
• Constant temperature (approx. 27°C) and relative humidity (70%) were maintained.
• Accumulated degree hours (ADH) were calculated to normalize temperature variations.

Main Results:

• Larvae exposed to 12 hours of light required fewer ADH for eclosion and overall development.
• Development time was significantly reduced with increased photophase duration, particularly in the post-feeding stage.
• Larval mortality was substantially higher in complete darkness (0 h light), with predation suspected.

Conclusions:

• Photophase duration significantly influences black soldier fly development and survival.
• Longer photophases (8-12 h) optimize development, reducing time and increasing survival rates.
• These findings support the optimization of lighting conditions for efficient industrial black soldier fly production.