The Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia ilucens) has many remarkable characteristics that make it useful to human beings. In this episode, I am joined by Jerry of blacksoldierflyblog.com. Jerry and I discuss the lifecycle, morphological characteristics, and population dynamics of the Black Soldier Fly. We also discuss strategies for attracting and managing a healthy colony. This is Part I in a two part series.
Useful links below:
Phoenix Worms (via Google)
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14 responses to “Episode #78: The Black Soldier Fly (Part I)”
I was astonished when i tried to use a worm composter only to find it invaded by soldier fly larvae several years ago. The larvae were so voracious that they out-competed my red worms! Every year since, the worm composter has had a population of soldier fly larvae. Very easy to manage, at least where i live.
One question i didn’t hear addressed in the podcast: What is the range of soldier flies?
Thanks again for a great podcast.
Range is addressed, you might have missed it or it might be in part II. This insect is definitely a thermophile, but extreme heat and cold seems to kill it (see Part II).
Jerry mentions that most range maps show it being common up to hardiness zone 7, but has reports from the field of BSF being found as far North as Idaho. From his description, it seems you can get these colonies anywhere, so long as you are proactive about management, especially in regards to temperature.
It’s not a closed system, so you’re going to need some adults flying around, at least during the warm season. It seems you could keep them in their larval stage for extended periods (during winter at high latitudes) by judicious temperature management.
Hi, this is Jerry from the black soldier fly blog. Thanks again Frank, I enjoyed the interview very much. Next time I’m interviewed I think I’ll wait until I’m better rested…
The range of BSF will be a growing body of knowledge as more people get involved. I have had reports of BSF populations throughout the southeast west to Texas and up to northern West Virginia. They are fairly common in Kentucky and I received a photo of larvae from a central Illinois compost pile. I believe all of California has them all the way up the coast into the Vancouver area.
I started a thread at the BioPod forum for the purpose of confirming BSF populations. Of course the reports will be less than perfectly reliable, but it’s a beginning. You can find that thread here: http://thebiopod.com/forum/index.php?topic=30.0
Anyone have some he’d be willing to sell and ship to Denver?
We’re not ready yet, but next spring, we’ll have a fish pond under the rabbit hutches in our greenhouse. We have access to essentially unlimited coffee grounds and possibly restaurant wastes. The compost is not the goal, but a highly desirable by-product, so we want to optimize the output.
Hi Le,
I promote BSF starter kits on my blog and they are usually available sometime in May shortly after the mating season resumes. I’m not sure if BSF are naturally occurring in Denver but I’m skeptical due to the altitude. I’ve read that BSF don’t live above 5000 ft. Cold and/or dry climate is also limiting to a degree. It’s possible that you might be able to overcome these obstacles, but I can’t estimate your chances of success.
first visit and I just wanted to stop by and say hello everyone
Hi Le
I’m new to this blog but I’m keen to chat to you about the fishpond underneath your Rabbithatches ? I’m considering somthing similar.
Or anyone who are doing this I would like to know how much the rabbit waste is supplementing the fishes food? Thanx Stephan
Hi All
I am studying BSF in food reduction in Johannesburg, South Africa. Does anyone know where I can purchase BSF Pheromone?
Many thanks
A sour smelling fermenting brew will help, although I doubt if the pheremone has been identified, much less sold.
We are trying to establish a BSF toilet system in Rwanda at an elevation of 5,000 ft (1,600m). We are worried that we will not find BSF there, although I have one unconfirmed report of their presence in Central Africa. Would you be interested in helping us by shipping larvae to us in Rwanda?
Hi im from P.E. can you tell me where I can get black soldier flies in SA???
Same question as David: Anyone know of BSF in Rwanda or willing to ship them here? Murakoze!
I am starting to develop the interest and use of Biochar here in Malaysia., and have been scouring the Internet for information on Bsfl as a rapid means of making a compost to innoculate the char with.
I had wiped out my first batch of Bsfl when I left the kit in my car when I brought it along to show it off at a recent organic farming exhibition recently. I hope to acquire a new batch of larvae in a few days time, and am going to upgrade my digester to include a larger space above where the pupae can pupate and where the adults can mate and lay.
I tried an open system the first time and in 2 days my digester was already infested with blow and houseflys.
FYI, I separated the Bsfl using water, but kept the other fly larvae. I allowed them to digest the waste but in a closed system in an attempt to stop them from breeding. However even though my air holes were merely 1x10mm slots burnt in with a sharp paring knife, some of the larvae still escape. Still I am using the digested waste to innoculate the char.
BTW I currently have a large heap of old for work timber from the construction industry to make the char, when I run out of this free source of biomass, then I will look for alternatives.
If any of your readers are here in Malaysia, I would welcome them to contact me at +60193806966
Hi there: I don’t understand – why do you need to inoculate biochar? What is your biochar made up of? How are you processing the biochar and what are you using it for afterwards?
I am looking into BSF as a means to reduce human waste and if it’s possible to use the grubs as animal feed (chickens/fish) without passing on parasites / pathogens to humans when the animal is eaten. Regards> Mike
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