Effects of dietary protein and carbohydrate on life-history traits and body protein and fat contents of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens (2024)

Abstract

We investigate how the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) responds to dietary protein (P) and carbohydrate (C) contents and the P:C ratio in terms of both immature and adult life-history traits, as well as effects on larval body composition. Nine chicken-feed based diets varying in their P:C ratio are formulated. We test three protein concentrations (10%, 17% and 24%) and three carbohydrate concentrations (35%, 45% and 55%) and their combinations. All nine diets support the complete development and reproduction of this species. Survival is high on all diets. Development time, larval yield, larval crude fat and egg yield are more influenced by P and C contents than by the P:C ratio. Low contents result in a shorter development time. Larval yield is higher on diets with higher C-contents. Pupal development is faster on a low dietary P-content for all three C-contents. Egg yield only increases when P-content increases, although it also varies with the P:C ratio. Larval crude protein content is similar on all nine diets but increases when C-content is low (10%) in P10 and P17. Larval crude fat content is high at P24-diets irrespective of C-content. We conclude that a high macronutrient content combined with a low P:C ratio positively affects H. illucens performance. The diet P17:C55 supports the highest larval and adult performance and results in a high larval body protein content and an intermediate crude fat content.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	148-159
Journal	Physiological Entomology
Volume	44
Issue number	2
Early online date	12 Mar 2019
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/phen.12285
Publication status	Published - Jun 2019

Keywords

Body nutrient composition
fecundity
food quality
larval performance
macronutrients
nutrition

Access to Document

10.1111/phen.12285Licence: CC BY

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of dietary protein and carbohydrate on life-history traits and body protein and fat contents of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

View full fingerprint

Cite this

APA
Author
BIBTEX
Harvard
Standard
RIS
Vancouver

Barragan-Fonseca, K. B., Gort, G., Dicke, M. (2019). Effects of dietary protein and carbohydrate on life-history traits and body protein and fat contents of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens. Physiological Entomology, 44(2), 148-159. https://doi.org/10.1111/phen.12285

Barragan-Fonseca, Karol B. ; Gort, Gerrit ; Dicke, Marcel et al. / Effects of dietary protein and carbohydrate on life-history traits and body protein and fat contents of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens. In: Physiological Entomology. 2019 ; Vol. 44, No. 2. pp. 148-159.

@article{7f459084608d4740a1874727946c6dc6,

title = "Effects of dietary protein and carbohydrate on life-history traits and body protein and fat contents of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens",

abstract = "We investigate how the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) responds to dietary protein (P) and carbohydrate (C) contents and the P:C ratio in terms of both immature and adult life-history traits, as well as effects on larval body composition. Nine chicken-feed based diets varying in their P:C ratio are formulated. We test three protein concentrations (10%, 17% and 24%) and three carbohydrate concentrations (35%, 45% and 55%) and their combinations. All nine diets support the complete development and reproduction of this species. Survival is high on all diets. Development time, larval yield, larval crude fat and egg yield are more influenced by P and C contents than by the P:C ratio. Low contents result in a shorter development time. Larval yield is higher on diets with higher C-contents. Pupal development is faster on a low dietary P-content for all three C-contents. Egg yield only increases when P-content increases, although it also varies with the P:C ratio. Larval crude protein content is similar on all nine diets but increases when C-content is low (10%) in P10 and P17. Larval crude fat content is high at P24-diets irrespective of C-content. We conclude that a high macronutrient content combined with a low P:C ratio positively affects H. illucens performance. The diet P17:C55 supports the highest larval and adult performance and results in a high larval body protein content and an intermediate crude fat content.",

keywords = "Body nutrient composition, fecundity, food quality, larval performance, macronutrients, nutrition",

author = "Barragan-Fonseca, {Karol B.} and Gerrit Gort and Marcel Dicke and {van Loon}, {Joop J.A.}",

year = "2019",

month = jun,

doi = "10.1111/phen.12285",

language = "English",

volume = "44",

pages = "148--159",

journal = "Physiological Entomology",

issn = "0307-6962",

publisher = "Wiley",

number = "2",

}

Barragan-Fonseca, KB, Gort, G, Dicke, M 2019, 'Effects of dietary protein and carbohydrate on life-history traits and body protein and fat contents of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens', Physiological Entomology, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 148-159. https://doi.org/10.1111/phen.12285

Effects of dietary protein and carbohydrate on life-history traits and body protein and fat contents of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens. / Barragan-Fonseca, Karol B.; Gort, Gerrit; Dicke, Marcel et al.
In: Physiological Entomology, Vol. 44, No. 2, 06.2019, p. 148-159.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effects of dietary protein and carbohydrate on life-history traits and body protein and fat contents of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens

AU - Barragan-Fonseca, Karol B.

AU - Gort, Gerrit

AU - Dicke, Marcel

AU - van Loon, Joop J.A.

PY - 2019/6

Y1 - 2019/6

N2 - We investigate how the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) responds to dietary protein (P) and carbohydrate (C) contents and the P:C ratio in terms of both immature and adult life-history traits, as well as effects on larval body composition. Nine chicken-feed based diets varying in their P:C ratio are formulated. We test three protein concentrations (10%, 17% and 24%) and three carbohydrate concentrations (35%, 45% and 55%) and their combinations. All nine diets support the complete development and reproduction of this species. Survival is high on all diets. Development time, larval yield, larval crude fat and egg yield are more influenced by P and C contents than by the P:C ratio. Low contents result in a shorter development time. Larval yield is higher on diets with higher C-contents. Pupal development is faster on a low dietary P-content for all three C-contents. Egg yield only increases when P-content increases, although it also varies with the P:C ratio. Larval crude protein content is similar on all nine diets but increases when C-content is low (10%) in P10 and P17. Larval crude fat content is high at P24-diets irrespective of C-content. We conclude that a high macronutrient content combined with a low P:C ratio positively affects H. illucens performance. The diet P17:C55 supports the highest larval and adult performance and results in a high larval body protein content and an intermediate crude fat content.

AB - We investigate how the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) responds to dietary protein (P) and carbohydrate (C) contents and the P:C ratio in terms of both immature and adult life-history traits, as well as effects on larval body composition. Nine chicken-feed based diets varying in their P:C ratio are formulated. We test three protein concentrations (10%, 17% and 24%) and three carbohydrate concentrations (35%, 45% and 55%) and their combinations. All nine diets support the complete development and reproduction of this species. Survival is high on all diets. Development time, larval yield, larval crude fat and egg yield are more influenced by P and C contents than by the P:C ratio. Low contents result in a shorter development time. Larval yield is higher on diets with higher C-contents. Pupal development is faster on a low dietary P-content for all three C-contents. Egg yield only increases when P-content increases, although it also varies with the P:C ratio. Larval crude protein content is similar on all nine diets but increases when C-content is low (10%) in P10 and P17. Larval crude fat content is high at P24-diets irrespective of C-content. We conclude that a high macronutrient content combined with a low P:C ratio positively affects H. illucens performance. The diet P17:C55 supports the highest larval and adult performance and results in a high larval body protein content and an intermediate crude fat content.

KW - Body nutrient composition

KW - fecundity

KW - food quality

KW - larval performance

KW - macronutrients

KW - nutrition

U2 - 10.1111/phen.12285

DO - 10.1111/phen.12285

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85062953276

SN - 0307-6962

VL - 44

SP - 148

EP - 159

JO - Physiological Entomology

JF - Physiological Entomology

IS - 2

ER -

Barragan-Fonseca KB, Gort G, Dicke M, van Loon JJA. Effects of dietary protein and carbohydrate on life-history traits and body protein and fat contents of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens. Physiological Entomology. 2019 Jun;44(2):148-159. Epub 2019 Mar 12. doi: 10.1111/phen.12285

FAQs

What is the optimal dietary protein to carbohydrate ratio for black soldier fly hermetia illucens larvae? ›

Highest overall performance was observed for larvae reared on substrates with P:C ratios between 1:2 – 1:3, corresponding to protein to energy ratios (P:E) of 11.2-14.4 g/MJ.

View Details ›

What is the crude protein content of black soldier fly? ›

The dry weight of Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSFL) contain up to 50% crude protein(CP), up to 35% lipids and have an amino acid profile that is similar to that of fishmeal²⁶. They are recognized and utilized as alternative sources of protein for feed of poultry, pigs, and several species of fish and shrimp²⁷.

Tell Me More ›

What are the dietary importance of fats carbohydrates and proteins in the human diet? ›

Carbohydrates offer energy, fiber, and aid with brain function. Proteins are essential for tissue formation and repair, as well as cell activity and energy generation. Fats store energy, help in nutrition absorption, support cell structure, and provide insulation and protection.

Learn More Now ›

Why do I have black soldier fly larvae in my house? ›

Poorly maintained compost piles; spilled, wet grain; or other decaying vegetable material may provide breeding sites for soldier flies. A dead bird or rodent in an attic or chimney may also be the reason for soldier fly or blow fly infestations.

Is there melanin in black soldier fly? ›

Black soldier fly (BSF) melanin is a new supply of the brown-black pigment eumelanin. Given that eumelanin is a model bioelectronic material for applications such as medical devices and sensors, understanding BSF melanin's electrical properties is important to confirm its viability as an advanced material.

Read The Full Story ›

Why is my body burning protein instead of fat? ›

Protein is not usually used for energy. However, if the body is not getting enough calories from other nutrients or from the fat stored in the body, protein is broken down into ketone bodies to be used for energy.

What is the main role of dietary carbohydrates in the body? ›

The major function of carbohydrates is to provide energy. The body uses glucose to provide most of the energy for the human brain. About half of the energy used by muscles and other body tissues is provided from glucose and glycogen, a storage form of carbohydrate.

Know More ›

Why are carbohydrates and proteins important for our body? ›

Macronutrients — carbohydrates, fat, and protein — are nutrients found in foods that your body needs in large amounts. These nutrients provide energy and are required for many bodily functions and movements.