External Morphology of Hermetia illucens Stratiomyidae: Diptera (L.1758) Based on Electron Microscopy

This work aimed to study the external morphology of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae Hermetia illucens (L. 1758) Hermetia illucens (Stratiomyidae: Diptera) bred under ideal conditions with a diet based on cow manure. Observations and illustrations were made using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at the State University of New York (SUNY), College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), Department of Paper and Bioprocess Engineering (PBE) and N.C. Brown Center for Ultrastructure Studies between June 2015 and October 2015.

The study monitored an overall of 30 larvae and the transition of their instars at an temperature of 28-30°C and an moisture content of 70-80%.

A detailed description of the anatomy of the larval and adult stage is here shown for the first time. The morphological differences between male and female flies illustrate a distinct sexual dimorphism of notable taxonomic interest.