Presentation Details
| Pupation substrate preference and its effects on eclosion and morphology in black soldier flies Samuel O.Durosaro, Rodrigo Rodriguez-Guevara, Alex Glica, Meghan Barrett. Department of Biology, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA |
Abstract
Black soldier flies are farmed in trillions, but little information is available on the animal's environmental preferences or their fitness-relevant effects. Here, we tested which pupation substrates prepupae prefer (potting soil, sand, and wood shavings); whether this preference was based on differences in light exposure that result from the different substrate densities; and the effects of the most and least preferred pupation substrates on adult eclosion rate, time, and adult morphology. Prepupae preferred potting soil and sand to wood shavings in binary-choice assays; this preference was not affected by removing light exposure. While preferred pupation substrate did not affect eclosion rate and timing, some morphological variables were impacted: window fullness (the amount of visible fat in the ventral abdominal window) was reduced by 14.81% in female flies, and both males and females had reduced head widths and dry mass in wood shavings (less preferred) compared to potting soil (more preferred). In conclusion, prepupae exhibited substrate preference that improved some adult traits; preference tests may help guide producers in selecting environments that maximize production.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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