Effect of feeding frequency on larval metamorphosis of black soldier fly (Hermetiaillucens L.)

Abstract

The Hermetia illucens breeding requires significant attention from the producer, particularly from egg harvesting stages to metamorphosis. One of the most critical aspects of this breeding process is the management of the feeding and insectarium. This study aims to investigate the effect of the feeding frequency on molting and metamorphosis in black soldier flies, as well as its effect on the lifespan of these flies. Five basins of 1125 cm² and 13500  each were randomly arranged and filled with 10,000 larvae that were six days old and 2.5 kg of feed. These basins were subjected to five feed supply frequencies: T1: Larvae were provided with daily feed until the signs of successful metamorphosis appeared, at which point feeding was ceased; T2: Larvae received feed every three days until the indicators of effective metamorphosis were observed, after which feeding was halted, T3: Larvae were fed daily during the first week following a three-day incubation period. T4: larvae were fed once a week after a three-day incubation period and T5: Larvae were fed a twice per week following a three-day incubation period with five repetitions throughout the experiment. Subsequently, 900 individuals were randomly selected from each treatment and reintroduced into the same basin, which was then covered with mosquito nets. The total number of flies emerging from each treatment was determined. The duration of feeding has a significant effect on the biological and physiological processes of the fly's life cycle (D = 0.9529, p< 2.2e-16). This effect is statistically significant across the number of pupae molting for different treatments (p < 0.001) and in the counts of flies recorded for each treatment. For treatments T1, T2, and T5, the insectariums can be replenished every 7 days to maintain a relatively stable fly population. In contrast, for treatments T3 and T4, refilling must occur every 4 days.