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

Abstract

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.