• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.185-187
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• 2010

Most studies of the black soldier fly, Hermitia illucens, widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia and America focused on the use of larvae for recycling various organic materials and feed for fish and livestock. To recognize the instars of the soldier fly's larvae, we examined the number of exuviae originated from each larva from 1st instar to pupa. The weight and the head capsule width of the black soldier fly larvae also confirmed that the black soldier fly was passed through 6th instars. In addition, we found that the black soldier fly larvae had a well developed mandibular-maxillary complex, similar to those reported from the larvae of scavengers including Odontomyia cincta, Neopachygaster maculicornis, Ptecticus brunettii and Stratiomys ruficornis.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.95-98
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• 2013

The experiment was conducted to determine the value of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae and pupae as feed supplements for fresh-water fish (Carassius auratus). Black soldier fly larvae grown on food waste were fed to fresh-water fish, live larvae alone, dried larvae, dried pupae and combination with commercial fish diet. A 16-week feed trial was conducted to determine whether black soldier fly larvae could be used as a feed supplement in fresh-water fish. The growth performance indicated that fish fed the live larvae ranked consistently higher, and in combination with commercial fish diet and dried larvae and pupae were next higher. The finding of this study suggest that black soldier fly larvae and pupae may be valuable feedstuff in commercial fish production.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.100-104
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• 2018

The rearing of black soldier flies in Korea is affected by seasonal factors such as temperature and sun light; for this reason, it requires a great deal of effort to rear and maintain black soldier flies during the winter. In this study, we investigated how starvation affects larval development. After hatching the larvae, they were fed for 5 or 10 d and then starved for a certain period to see how they recovered. The length and width of larvae were estimated to be 18.18 to 21.96 mm, 5.19 to 6.04 mm, respectively. Larvae survivorship to the pupal stage was significantly different between groups and periods of starvation. The groups of fed for 5 d then starved showed a high survival rate until 20 d starvation and then the survival of larvae rapidly decreased. The survival rate of the larvae was abruptly decreased for 20 d starvation in the groups of fed for 10 d and starved, and then gradually decreased until 60 d starvation thereafter. Our research attempted to influence larvae development through starvation and provides basic information on how to culture the black soldier fly effectively and economically throughout the year.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.2_spc
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• pp.356-363
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• 2022

This paper is a review of some experiments using black soldier fly (BSF) and its by-product to explore their nutritional value, production potential in Indonesia and its application in the ration of ruminants. Evaluation on the effect of milk replacer, creep feed containing BSF, BSF frass and the possibility to use lactic acid bacteria from BSF as probiotics are presented. Utilization of BSF larvae in milk replacer as skim and cream milk substitute showed that there were similarity on physiological, hematological status and performance of goat kids compared to those offered goat milk or commercial milk replacer. In addition, BSF larvae can be used to substitute soybean meal in the creep feed for post weaning goat kids without any differences in weight gain and blood profiles. However, utilization of BSF frass in the fattening goat ration resulted lower digestibility of dry matter and organic matter due to the chitin content in the frass. Black soldier fly larvae grown on chicken manure harbour lactic acid bacteria (LAB) which have potential as probiotics for ruminants. In general, BSF larvae has potential as ingredient for milk replacer, creep feed, fattening ration, and source of LAB for probiotics.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.189-191
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• 2010

The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, has a worldwide distribution in the tropics and warm temperate regions and is active in the Korea from May through October. This species colonize a wide variety of decomposing vegetable and animal matter and oviposits in a variety of decomposing materials. In this study, how the black soldier fly pupation, adult emergence and mating rate changed with season at the artificial rearing system was investigated. The black soldier fly larvae and pupae were reared under laboratory condition ($27^{\circ}C$, 60% R.H.). In this study, under the laboratory condition, pupation and adult emergence were not influenced by season, but the data shows definitely different mating numbers throughout whole year. The time of the day is changed with seasons and it influence to mating on artificial rearing. To culture the black soldier fly throughout the year in Korea needs a more deep study under the artificial rearing system.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.187-197
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• 2020

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of black soldier fly larvae oil (BSFLO) from the black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as a partial or total replacement of soybean oil (SBO) on growth performance, fatty acid (FA) profile, and meat quality of broiler chickens from 1 to 5 wk of age. A total of 210 male broiler chickens (Ross 308) at one-day of age were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments (10 replicates and 7 birds/group): a basal control diet (CON), the basal diet in which the SBO was replaced by 50% (50 BSFLO) or 100% (100 BSFLO) of BSFLO. The growth performance, physical measurements and chemical traits of leg meat, and sensory analysis of breast meat were not influenced by diets. However, the relative weight (g/kg) of gizzard of CON was significantly higher (14.85, 12.52, and 13.02 for CON, 50 BSFLO, and 100 BSFLO; p < 0.05) than that of other treatments. As expected, the FA profile of breast meat was affected by BSFLO inclusion. The proportion (%) of saturated fatty acid (SFA) was increased (27.16, 27.58, and 28.72 for CON, 50 BSFLO, and 100 BSFLO; p < 0.05) by BSFLO inclusion and the percentage (%) of MUFA was also increased (43.36, 44.58, and 48.55 for CON, 50 BSFLO, and 100 BSFLO; p < 0.01). On the contrary, the proportion (%) of PUFA was decreased (29.49, 27.84, and 22.74 for CON, 50 BSFLO, and 100 BSFLO; p < 0.01). In conclusion, the present study suggests that the replacement of BSFLO did not show an adverse effect on growth performance and it could be an ingredient as a dietary fat source for a broiler diet.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.678-688
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• 2024

Objective: Reduced crude protein (CP) diets offer potential benefits such as optimized feed efficiency, reduced expenses, and lower environmental impact. The objective of this study was to evaluate black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal on a low-protein diet for duck performance, blood biochemical, intestinal morphology, gastrointestinal development, and litter. Methods: The experiment was conducted for 42 days. A total of 210-day-old male hybrid ducklings (5 replicate pens, 7 ducks per pen) were randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatments (3×2 factorial arrangements) in randomized design. The factors were CP level (18%, 16%, 14%) and protein source feed soybean meals (SBM), black soldier fly larvae meals (BSFLM). Results: Reduced dietary CP levels significantly decreased growth performance, feed intake, the percentage of nitrogen, pH (p<0.05), and tended to suppress ammonia in litter (p = 0.088); increased lipid concentration; and enhanced relative weight of gastrointestinal tracts (p<0.05). In addition, dietary BSFL as a source of protein feed significantly increased lipid concentration and impacted lowering villus height and crypt depth on jejunum (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, the use of BSFLM in a low-protein diet was found to have a detrimental effect on growth performance. However, the reduction of 2% CP levels in SBM did not have a significant impact on growth performance but decreased nitrogen and ammonia concentrations.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2020

Background: The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is gaining attention as an efficient decomposer of food waste. However, recalcitrant compounds such as plastics mixed into food waste may have negative effects on its growth and survival. Moreover, its efficiency of food waste degradation may also be affected by plastics. In addition, salt (NaCl) can also be present in high concentrations, which also reduces the efficiency of H. illucens-mediated food waste treatment. In this study, we assessed the growth of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) reared on food waste containing polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) and NaCl. The weight of BSFL was measured every 2-4 days. Survival and substrate reduction rates and pupation ratio were determined at the end of the experiment. Results: The total larval weight of Hermetia illucens reared on food waste containing PS was greater than that of the control on days 20 and 24. However, the survival rate was lower in the group treated with 5% PS, as was substrate reduction in all PS-treated groups. The weight of BSFL reared on food waste containing PE was lower than that of the control on day 6. PE in food waste did not affect the survival rate, but the pupation ratio increased and substrate consumption decreased with increasing PE concentrations. Regardless of the plastic type, the addition of NaCl resulted in decreased larval weight and pupation ratio. Conclusions: Larval growth of black soldier fly was inhibited not by plastics but by substrate salinity. Additional safety assessments of larvae reared on food waste containing impurities are needed to enable wider application of BSFL in vermicomposting.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.142-146
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to determine the possibility of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) as a animal feedstuff. Insect resources have been widely recognized that it exhibits its own biological activity by whole body or its metabolic intermediates. To accomplish this, its general and biological activities were measured. The present study was conducted to compare antioxidant activity of black soldier fly larva, pupa and grasshopper by examining radical scavenging activity using DPPH (2,2 diphenyl 1-picryl hydrazyl). DPPH radical scavenging activity was conducted on the EtOH, MeOH, H2O fractions of black soldier fly larvae. Results showed that black soldier fly pupa on the H2O fraction contained the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity among the samples. FRAP assay are more suitable methods to evaluate antioxidant activity of black soldier fly extracts. Among the samples, the FRAP value showed higher antioxidant activity in the extracts from black soldier fly pupa extract on H2O fraction. These results suggest that black soldier fly larva and pupa extract has antioxidant activity and its fractions can be utilized to develop functional feedstuff.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.900-908
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• 2020

This study was conducted to partially replace fish meal with black soldier fly (BSF) larvae or mealworm (MW) larvae in the diet for Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. A tuna by-product meal (27%) was used as the protein source in a control (Con) diet, which was replaced with 20%, 40%, or 60% BSF (designated as BSF20, BSF40, and BSF60, respectively), or MW (MW20, MW40, and MW60, respectively). The shrimp (average body weight, 0.09 g) were randomly stocked in 28 acrylic tanks and quadruplicate groups were fed one of the experimental diets six times daily. After 57 days of the feeding trial, growth and feed efficiency were significantly higher in shrimp that were fed the BSF40 and BSF60 diets than those in shrimp fed the Con diet. Phenoloxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and gene expression of crustin were significantly higher in shrimp fed BSF or MW diets than those in shrimp fed the Con diet. The results indicate that BSF or MW could be used as a fish meal replacement or as a functional protein source in diets and can help improve the growth, feed utilization, innate immunity and antioxidant capacity of Pacific white shrimp.