Evaluation of the life cycle, behavior, and nutritional value of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) on varied diets

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, BSF) as a sustainable feed source for livestock. BSF larvae (BSFL) offer several advantages, including rapid growth and the ability to convert low-quality organic waste into high-value, protein- and fat-rich biomass suitable for animal feed. Despite these benefits, knowledge remains limited regarding the effects of specific dietary macronutrient compositions—lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins—on larval development and subsequent adult behavior, particularly female oviposition preferences. This project investigates the optimal rearing conditions for BSF under the local environmental conditions of North Florida. Specifically, it compares the life-tables and growth performance of BSFL reared on three nutritionally distinct diets—each enriched in either lipids, carbohydrates, or proteins—through detailed nutritional analysis. In parallel, the study evaluates female oviposition preferences by utilizing the two-choice and multiple-choice tests among these diets to determine whether the same substrates used for larval development can also function as effective oviposition attractants. Such dual-purpose diets have the potential to enhance production efficiency by reducing the need for separate attractants. A comprehensive evaluation is essential for optimizing both larval growth and its connection to adult reproductive behavior. Enhancing this understanding could improve the nutritional quality of BSFL for livestock feed while simultaneously supporting efficient oviposition strategies, ultimately maximizing production outputs. Further methodological development is needed to better correlate larval dietary composition with adult behavioral responses.