INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BLACK SOLDIER FLY HERMETIA ILLUCENS

Abstract

Black soldier fly Hermetia illucens L (Stratiomyidae: Diptera) was raised on a diet of rice bran and groundnut oil cakes at different temperatures (20± 2, 24± 2, and 27± 2°C) with a relative humidity of 75.5%; lifecycle was found to be the shortest at 27± 2°C, and adult longevity increased by two days. Also, there was a higher survival rate for larvae, prepupae, pupae and adults, and the fecundity and hatchability increased at this temperature.