An Artificial Light Source Influences Mating and Oviposition of Black Soldier Flies,Hermetia illucens
Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: Current methods for mass-rearing black soldier flies, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), in the laboratory are dependent on sunlight. Quartz-iodine lamps and rare earth lamps were examined as artificial light sources for stimulating H. illucens to mate and lay eggs. Sunlight was used as the control. Adults in the quartz-iodine lamp treatment had a mating rate of 61% of those in the sunlight control. No mating occurred when the rare earth lamp was used as a substitute. Egg hatch for the quartz-iodine lamp and sunlight treatments occurred in approximately 4 days, and the hatch rate was similar between these two treatments. Larval and pupal development under these treatments required approximately 18 and 15 days at 28°C, respectively. Development of methods for mass rearing of H. illucens using artificial light will enable production of this fly throughout the year without investing in greenhouse space or requiring sunlight.
Source: Journal of Insect Science
Authors: Jibin Zhang, Ling Huang, Jin He, Jeffery K. Tomberlin, Jianhong Li, Chaoliang Lei, Ming Sun, Ziduo Liu, Ziniu Yu
Language: English
Subfield: Insect Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,170
OpenAlex ID: W2093412149