@PeanutButterGtr The adults (winged stage) only live 5-8 days for the purpose of reproduction. During that time they live on stored fat. The light colored juvenile larvae live for several weeks while they consume almost constantly. The final larval stage (also called mature or prepupal larvae) are the coffee colored larvae which also do not eat. In that stage they crawl away from the food source in search of a protected pupation site.
The first thing I thought when I saw this was "So CUTE!" XD I guess larvae must be cute... This video is excellent, I'm so glad you were able to catch the females laying their eggs on camera. What a beautiful thing to watch.
@mowdan77 It depends on where you live and how much patience you have for starting your colony. Buying larvae can speed up the process of establishing a colony but it isn't necessary when you have a wild BSF population in your area. If you want to learn more about BSF I recommend you join the forum at my blog where more than one person can give advice. The forum is very new and therefore quiet, but that just means more attention for you! :)
what should you do if you want to breed these flys and you dont have any wild flys. I would have to buy some worms but how do i get them to turn into adults
@thesunsetreptiles I'm sorry but the subject is too complex to address in youtube comments. Most of what you need to know you can find at my blog and a few others.
@Sozialneutralist It's the fastest way to break down food waste (composting) and the end result is a highly nutritious larva that can be fed to exotic pets, fowl, fish and other animals. When the BSF residue is used as a medium for earthworms the result is an excellent soil amendment and very little greenhouse gas is produced in the process. The larvae also make excellent fish bait.
Do you know where I could get some bsfl to seed my harvester near ft bragg, nc? I pulled the few that I found in my worm bin, but i think the ants got to them before they could send off a good signal to egg laying females. thx
@kwatts2u I collect a BSF starter kit that my sister sells through her company and you can see details at my blog. Keep in mind that BSF are plentiful in NC and a kit may help speed up the process but you don't need one to establish a colony. The fact that you've already found them in your bin confirms that. You can also shop for "Phoenix worms" online and in pet stores which is the same larvae marketed as pet food, but they're much more expensive that way.
@jondevers Every time I research the climate in the NW I wonder how it is that BSF are found there. Since I know there are BSF in Seattle I'm pretty sure they're in your area also. Given a local population it should be fairly easy to culture them, without one it's much more difficult. Winter operation requires more knowledge than in warm weather. It can be done but there is no reproduction so you can't harvest any larvae. The unit can remain outside with proper insulation.
Hi, regards! I like your work. I have a question: How do you do for not contaminate with other insects, (other flys or cockroaches). Thanks a lot!
starsmillin 3 months ago
What do you do over the winter?
JimbobOMG 4 months ago
If the adults don't eat, How do they live?
PeanutButterGtr 9 months ago
@PeanutButterGtr The adults (winged stage) only live 5-8 days for the purpose of reproduction. During that time they live on stored fat. The light colored juvenile larvae live for several weeks while they consume almost constantly. The final larval stage (also called mature or prepupal larvae) are the coffee colored larvae which also do not eat. In that stage they crawl away from the food source in search of a protected pupation site.
BlackSoldierFly 9 months ago
The first thing I thought when I saw this was "So CUTE!" XD I guess larvae must be cute... This video is excellent, I'm so glad you were able to catch the females laying their eggs on camera. What a beautiful thing to watch.
1serbus1 10 months ago
@1serbus1 Thanks! I hope to upload some new stuff soon.
BlackSoldierFly 10 months ago
would it be a good idea to buy bsf larve first to start with? . i have a worm bin already . thanks dan
mowdan77 11 months ago
@mowdan77 It depends on where you live and how much patience you have for starting your colony. Buying larvae can speed up the process of establishing a colony but it isn't necessary when you have a wild BSF population in your area. If you want to learn more about BSF I recommend you join the forum at my blog where more than one person can give advice. The forum is very new and therefore quiet, but that just means more attention for you! :)
BlackSoldierFly 11 months ago
what should you do if you want to breed these flys and you dont have any wild flys. I would have to buy some worms but how do i get them to turn into adults
thesunsetreptiles 1 year ago
@thesunsetreptiles I'm sorry but the subject is too complex to address in youtube comments. Most of what you need to know you can find at my blog and a few others.
BlackSoldierFly 1 year ago
Do they live in tropical climate.like in Asia?
chardnj 1 year ago
@chardnj Yes, BSF are found around the world in tropical and subtropical climates.
BlackSoldierFly 1 year ago
What exactly is the goal of having something like this?
Sozialneutralist 1 year ago
@Sozialneutralist It's the fastest way to break down food waste (composting) and the end result is a highly nutritious larva that can be fed to exotic pets, fowl, fish and other animals. When the BSF residue is used as a medium for earthworms the result is an excellent soil amendment and very little greenhouse gas is produced in the process. The larvae also make excellent fish bait.
BlackSoldierFly 1 year ago
@BlackSoldierFly
So you make those dudes mostly to feed other animals with them but keep a small amount of them to make new dudes?
I thought this guys are supposed to be the pets them self, so to speak. =D
Sozialneutralist 1 year ago
Do you know where I could get some bsfl to seed my harvester near ft bragg, nc? I pulled the few that I found in my worm bin, but i think the ants got to them before they could send off a good signal to egg laying females. thx
kwatts2u 1 year ago
@kwatts2u I collect a BSF starter kit that my sister sells through her company and you can see details at my blog. Keep in mind that BSF are plentiful in NC and a kit may help speed up the process but you don't need one to establish a colony. The fact that you've already found them in your bin confirms that. You can also shop for "Phoenix worms" online and in pet stores which is the same larvae marketed as pet food, but they're much more expensive that way.
BlackSoldierFly 1 year ago
Would this work in NW Oregon (part of the year outdoors / winter in basement)? Do you know anyone doing this larger scale (55 gal. drum and larger)?
jondevers 1 year ago
@jondevers Every time I research the climate in the NW I wonder how it is that BSF are found there. Since I know there are BSF in Seattle I'm pretty sure they're in your area also. Given a local population it should be fairly easy to culture them, without one it's much more difficult. Winter operation requires more knowledge than in warm weather. It can be done but there is no reproduction so you can't harvest any larvae. The unit can remain outside with proper insulation.
BlackSoldierFly 1 year ago
Seriously wish I knew if these were in the UK lol
Reptileman111 1 year ago
@Reptileman111 Me too! So far I've not heard of them there.
BlackSoldierFly 1 year ago
Do domestic ducks like BSF Larvae? Thanks.
treldib 1 year ago
@treldib I believe any animal that eats insects would like the larvae. I have some peacocks and they love them.
BlackSoldierFly 1 year ago
@BlackSoldierFly Ok thanks...I will try then :)
treldib 1 year ago