• Mycobiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.310-313
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• 2016

While surveying the diversity of fungi of the order Mucorales, two isolates, EML-PUKI12-1 and EML-PUKI06-1, were obtained from the gut of soldier fly larvae inhabiting the bulrush at a pond located in the Chonnam National University Arboretum, Gwangju, Korea. The isolates were confirmed as Mucor irregularis and Mucor fragilis species, respectively, based on the morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of rDNA internal transcribed spacer region. Such mucoralean species belonging to undiscovered taxa has not previously been described in Korea.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.185-187
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• 2010

Most studies of the black soldier fly, Hermitia illucens, widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia and America focused on the use of larvae for recycling various organic materials and feed for fish and livestock. To recognize the instars of the soldier fly's larvae, we examined the number of exuviae originated from each larva from 1st instar to pupa. The weight and the head capsule width of the black soldier fly larvae also confirmed that the black soldier fly was passed through 6th instars. In addition, we found that the black soldier fly larvae had a well developed mandibular-maxillary complex, similar to those reported from the larvae of scavengers including Odontomyia cincta, Neopachygaster maculicornis, Ptecticus brunettii and Stratiomys ruficornis.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.142-146
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to determine the possibility of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) as a animal feedstuff. Insect resources have been widely recognized that it exhibits its own biological activity by whole body or its metabolic intermediates. To accomplish this, its general and biological activities were measured. The present study was conducted to compare antioxidant activity of black soldier fly larva, pupa and grasshopper by examining radical scavenging activity using DPPH (2,2 diphenyl 1-picryl hydrazyl). DPPH radical scavenging activity was conducted on the EtOH, MeOH, H2O fractions of black soldier fly larvae. Results showed that black soldier fly pupa on the H2O fraction contained the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity among the samples. FRAP assay are more suitable methods to evaluate antioxidant activity of black soldier fly extracts. Among the samples, the FRAP value showed higher antioxidant activity in the extracts from black soldier fly pupa extract on H2O fraction. These results suggest that black soldier fly larva and pupa extract has antioxidant activity and its fractions can be utilized to develop functional feedstuff.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.355-359
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• 2016

During a survey of fungal diversity in insect guts in Korea, two fungal strains, EML-PGH2 and EML-PUKI88, were isolated from the gut of grasshopper and soldier fly larvae inhabiting the bulrush plants at a pond located in the Chonnam National University Arboretum, Gwangju, Korea. Based on their morphological characteristics and a phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS2) and 5.8S rDNA sequences, the strains were identified as Blakeslea trispora. To our knowledge, the zygomycete species B. trispora has not been previously described in Korea.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.100-104
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• 2018

The rearing of black soldier flies in Korea is affected by seasonal factors such as temperature and sun light; for this reason, it requires a great deal of effort to rear and maintain black soldier flies during the winter. In this study, we investigated how starvation affects larval development. After hatching the larvae, they were fed for 5 or 10 d and then starved for a certain period to see how they recovered. The length and width of larvae were estimated to be 18.18 to 21.96 mm, 5.19 to 6.04 mm, respectively. Larvae survivorship to the pupal stage was significantly different between groups and periods of starvation. The groups of fed for 5 d then starved showed a high survival rate until 20 d starvation and then the survival of larvae rapidly decreased. The survival rate of the larvae was abruptly decreased for 20 d starvation in the groups of fed for 10 d and starved, and then gradually decreased until 60 d starvation thereafter. Our research attempted to influence larvae development through starvation and provides basic information on how to culture the black soldier fly effectively and economically throughout the year.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.1002-1013
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• 2023

The objectives of the present study were to determine the nutrient digestibility of fish meal, defatted black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), and adult flies and to develop equations for estimating in vitro nutrient digestibility of BSFL for pigs. In vitro digestion procedures were employed to mimic the digestion and absorption of nutrients in the pig intestine. Correlation coefficients between chemical composition and in vitro nutrient digestibility of BSFL were calculated. In Exp. 1, in vitro ileal digestibility (IVID) of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) and in vitro total tract digestibility (IVTTD) of DM and organic matter in defatted BSFL meal were less (p < 0.05) than those in fish meal but were greater (p < 0.05) than those in adult flies. In Exp. 2, CP concentrations in BSFL were negatively correlated with ether extract (r = -0.91) concentration but positively correlated with acid detergent fiber (ADF; r = 0.98) and chitin (r = 0.95) concentrations. ADF and chitin concentrations in BSFL were negatively correlated with IVID of DM (r = -0.98 and -0.88) and IVTTD of DM (r = -1.00 and -0.94) and organic matter (r = -0.99 and -0.98). Prediction equations for in vitro nutrient digestibility of BSFL were developed: IVID of CP (%) = -0.95 × ADF (% DM) + 95 (r² = 0.75 and p = 0.058) and IVTTD of DM (%) = -2.09 × ADF + 113 (r² = 0.99 and p < 0.001). The present in vitro experiments suggest that defatted BSFL meal was less digestible than fish meal but was more digestible than adult flies, and nutrient digestibility of BSFL can be predicted using ADF as an independent variable.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.1014-1023
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• 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of incorporating black soldier fly (BSF) larvae and its processed form as an alternative source of protein to fish meal (FM) on the digestibility of amino acids (AA) in weaned pigs. Four cannulated pigs with an initial bodyweight of 13.25 ± 0.25 kg and aged 30 days were subjected to a 4 × 4 Latin square design with three treatments, as well as a nitrogen-free treatment. The diets used for each treatment consisted of a FM diet, a diet containing BSF larvae meal (BSFM), and a diet containing extruded BSF (BSFE). The study was conducted over four stages, with a total duration of 28 days. The apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of protein was higher in the FM treatment compared with the BSFM. Among essential AA, the AID of Arg, His, Leu, and Thr were higher in the FM compared with the BSFM and BSFE. A greater AID of Ile and Phe was observed in pigs in the FM treatment compared with the BSFM. The average AA digestibility did not show any difference between treatments. Among non-essential AA, the AID of Ala (p = 0.054) and Glu (p = 0.064) tended to be increased in the FM compared with the BSFM. Among essential AA, the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of Arg, His, Ile, and Leu were higher in the FM compared with the BSFM. Among non-essential AA, the SID of Cys (p = 0.074) tended to be increased in the FM compared with the BSFM. In conclusion, the processing and thermal conditioning techniques utilized for BSF larvae meal showed a tendency for increased AA digestibility. Therefore, when formulating a diet, it is important to take into account the difference in AA digestibility between FM and BSFM.