Investigation of Oviposition behavior of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens (L., 1758) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)) on different manures

Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) called black soldier fly (BSF), is known as an efficient bio-converter of organic waste, are mostly rearing for use as fish and farming feed. Studies on BSF cultivation are generally related to the discovery of the optimum organic substrates of the larval stage. The ‘preference-performance principle’ suggests that female adults prefer to oviposit in substrates that maximise offspring fitness. Therefore, the substrate needs to be also attractive to females for oviposition. To reveal the best substrates in which is attractive for the female to lay her eggs is also extremely important for the better larval development. Five different poultry manures, goat manure and a non-manure environment (was used as control) were used in the experimental setup for BSF females to lay eggs in the study. Goat manure was least preferred by BSF adult females for laying eggs during the experiments carried out with 10 replications. The most preferred manures for laying eggs by BSF were found Peafowl, Pheasant, and Chicken, respectively. In the percentage similarity analysis, it was calculated that the number of eggs obtained from goat manure was the least and was different from all other manure tested. According to percentage similarity results the most similar group were found Peafowl manure and Chicken manure with 58.83%. The study also provides detailed information on the BSF breeding.