• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.33-35
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• 2018

In Korea, species of the genus Ptecticus Loew, 1855 (Family Stratiomyidae) have been known as three species, P. aurifer (Walker, 1854), P. matsumurae Lindner, 1936 and P. japonicus (Thunberg, 1789) (= P. tenebrifer (Walker, 1849)). Additionally, an unrecorded species, P. sinchangensis ${\hat{O}}uchi$, 1938, was found in Korea. We therefore report the species for the first time in Korea with morphological diagnosis and key for the identification of the Korean species of the genus. In total, the members of the genus Ptecticus are officially recognized as four species in Korea.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.54-58
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• 2016

In natural conditions, the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), colonizes in warm temperate regions, and is active in Korea from May through October. Information on black soldier fly rearing, which is affected by seasonal factors in Korea, is limited. This species colonizes and oviposits in a wide variety of decomposing vegetable and animal matter. For mass rearing of black soldier flies, the egg deposition methods are dependent on sunlight and oviposition sites. In this study, we investigated the substrates and oviposition sites preferred by black soldier fly in artificial rearing system. Our results showed that as black soldier flies prefer mating under sunlight, they prefer ovipositing at sites where adequate sunlight and food substrate are available. Further detailed research is required to develop methods for artificially rearing black soldier fly throughout the year in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.520-528
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• 2017

The exotic black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, has been paid much attention as an excellent organic matter decomposer. We conducted the nationwide survey and the population genetic study using a mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase 1 gene to understand its genetic diversity and distribution pattern in Korea. The results show that it has successfully settled down in South Korea and there are only 10 haplotypes and the populations of the insect are highly differentiated. The results may indicate that their dispersal was restrained probably due to their short distance flying tendency since their introduction and settlement of only few maternal lineages with certain genotypes in Korea.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.171-174
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• 2009

The black soldier fly larvae are able to decompose various organic wastes such as livestock manures and food wastes. We tested whether the quality of the insect derived compost, i.e. larval feces, was comparable to that of a commercial fertilizer. The results show that the chemical composition and the growth rate of cabbages grown on the insect derived compost are virtually identical to those on the commercial fertilizer. Therefore the insect derived compost will be an ideal substitute to commercial fertilizers.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.181-185
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• 2012

Chymotrypsin serine protease is one of the main digestive proteases in the midgut of and is involved in various essential processes. In a previous study, a gene encoding a chymotrypsin-like protease, Hi-SP1, was cloned from the larvae of Hermetia illucens and characterized. In this study, we produced the recombinant chymotrypsin-like protease Hi-SP1 in Escherichia coli cells. The molecular weight of the recombinant Hi-SP1 was estimated to be approximately 26 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western-blotting. Chymotrypsin activity was detected when AAPF was used as the substrate. Examination of the effects of temperature and pH revealed that the proteolytic activity of recombinant Hi-SP1 decreased markedly at temperatures above $30^{\circ}C$, and the optimum pH was found to be 10.0.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.189-191
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• 2010

The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, has a worldwide distribution in the tropics and warm temperate regions and is active in the Korea from May through October. This species colonize a wide variety of decomposing vegetable and animal matter and oviposits in a variety of decomposing materials. In this study, how the black soldier fly pupation, adult emergence and mating rate changed with season at the artificial rearing system was investigated. The black soldier fly larvae and pupae were reared under laboratory condition ($27^{\circ}C$, 60% R.H.). In this study, under the laboratory condition, pupation and adult emergence were not influenced by season, but the data shows definitely different mating numbers throughout whole year. The time of the day is changed with seasons and it influence to mating on artificial rearing. To culture the black soldier fly throughout the year in Korea needs a more deep study under the artificial rearing system.

• 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.

• 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.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.92-95
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• 2016

The black soldier fly is economically important because its prepupae are used as feed for many animals, including fish and swine. In Korea, black-soldier-fly farms have attempted to increase annual breeding and mass egg production for use in animal feed, as well as the decomposition of organic waste. Such efforts require an understanding of optimal mating and oviposition techniques. Specifically, adult densities and cage size may both improve the efficiency of mass egg production. Our study used four sizes of nylon cages ($1.0{\times}1.0{\times}2.5m$, $1.5{\times}1.5{\times}2.5m$, $2.0{\times}2.0{\times}2.5m$, $2.5{\times}2.5{\times}2.5m$) and three density treatments (4 kg, 8 kg, and 10 kg of pupae) to investigate optimal habitat size and adult density. We found that cage size (independent of density) did not significantly influence female fecundity (number of egg clutches and egg weight), whereas higher densities increased egg number and weight regardless of cage size. Thus, we recommend manipulating adult density to enhance productivity in commercial black-soldier-fly farming. However, we also propose further detailed research to develop methods that account for seasonal changes and environmental conditions, as climatic variables (temperature, sunlight) likely influence female fecundity as well.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.95-98
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• 2013

The experiment was conducted to determine the value of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae and pupae as feed supplements for fresh-water fish (Carassius auratus). Black soldier fly larvae grown on food waste were fed to fresh-water fish, live larvae alone, dried larvae, dried pupae and combination with commercial fish diet. A 16-week feed trial was conducted to determine whether black soldier fly larvae could be used as a feed supplement in fresh-water fish. The growth performance indicated that fish fed the live larvae ranked consistently higher, and in combination with commercial fish diet and dried larvae and pupae were next higher. The finding of this study suggest that black soldier fly larvae and pupae may be valuable feedstuff in commercial fish production.