Black Soldier Fly Larvae as protein source

Posts and questions relating to ant diet & nutrition. Let us know what you’re feeding your ants.

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Johnfer
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2017 1:16 pm

Black Soldier Fly Larvae as protein source

Post: # 32422Post Johnfer
Tue Oct 17, 2017 10:53 am

Hello everyone,

I bought some BSF (black soldier fly) larvae (Hermetia illucens) by mistake thinking it was mealworm (beginner mistake), and I was wondering if I can give them to my ants.
According to Wikipedia they have a high amount of protein and they really look like (sort of) mealworms.

Has anybody tried this?

Thanks for the help

MaxGen
Posts: 75
Joined: Mon May 29, 2017 9:26 am
Location: Toronto

Re: Black Soldier Fly Larvae as protein source

Post: # 32427Post MaxGen
Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:27 pm

I think they would be fine. They are also very high in calcium. An excellent feeder for reptiles. I'm sure ants will appreciate both the larva, and the adult fly.

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Phoenix
Posts: 642
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2017 11:17 pm
Location: Malaysia

Re: Inquiry

Post: # 32437Post Phoenix
Tue Oct 17, 2017 8:19 pm

They'll Probably Accept It.
'Have Fun.' - Gabe Newell

Johnfer
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2017 1:16 pm

Re: Black Soldier Fly Larvae as protein source

Post: # 32505Post Johnfer
Fri Oct 20, 2017 5:17 pm

Thank you for the help!

I offered some pieces of a frozen larvae and the ants did not accept, but I think it is because the colony is very young (~20 workers).
Once the larvae is in ambient temperature, it darkens very very fast. After 15 minutes it is completely black and after 1 hour it starts to shrink and melt, very weird. I don't know if it is completely rotten or still good. Any toughs?

Johnfer
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2017 1:16 pm

Re: Black Soldier Fly Larvae as protein source

Post: # 32619Post Johnfer
Fri Oct 27, 2017 1:06 pm

Just an update:

I tried offering some larvae again, but instead of giving them right away I boiled the larvae for a few minutes.
Using this technique, it took a lot more to start turning black and I saw some ants feeding on it.
So, for someone facing the same problems, an advice is to boil the larvae before. Interesting to note that its insides still remain liquid/soft.

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