Presentation Details
| Light avoidance and behavioral responses to stress in black soldier fly larvae E Persson-Gordon, J Brumfield, A Gomez, E Jones, M Barrett. Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA |
Abstract
Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are farmed by the trillions as livestock feed. In other farmed species behavioral markers are widely used to assess stress and can inform production and welfare decisions. By contrast, the stress-associated behaviors of BSFL have not been described. First, we aimed to confirm the claim that BSFL are photophobic and that light is a stressor by using a light/dark avoidance assay. BSFL, on average, avoided bright white light but not dim red light; however, 3-fold variation in the intensity of white light did not affect avoidance behavior. Next, we compared a suite of behaviors under dim red light and bright white light to screen for those that varied according to light-associated stress. BSFL did not differ in thigmotactic behaviors or movement speed, however exposure to light reduced food-finding behaviors from 33% to 8%, potentially indicative of reduced exploratory behavior, and altered tonic immobility timing. Our data suggests light is stressful for BSFL and that some behaviors may vary in association with this stressor; however, our results also reveal that more larval-specific behavioral assays are needed to better capture BSFL stress response.
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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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