Influence of the liquid fraction on Hermetia illucens (L.) reared on vegetables

Introduction: Hermetia illucens. Methods: The main scope of this study was to determine if the presence of a drainage can affect the preimaginal development of BSF reared on vegetable waste. Different tests were conducted in presence and in absence of a good drainage filter in climatic chamber. Results/Conclusion: No significant differences were observed on the larval and pupal final weight and on the mortality of the larvae. However, the presence of a drainage filter has influenced the length of larval development: in the experiment with the drainage larvae took 33 days to reach their maximum weight, while on the other 42 days. The time to pupation of all the specimens was shorter and much synchronized in the presence of the net; finally, the pupae mortality was significantly higher in the experiment without drainage. These data need to be deepened, but have to be taken in consideration in the case of BSF mass rearing.