Interspecific Competition between the House Fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) and Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) When Reared on Poultry Manure

Abstract

Few studies have examined the competitive interaction between the house fly (HF) and the black soldier fly (BSF). The fact that the BSF deters HF oviposition is widely cited in BSF literature, but this interaction has not been assessed in over three decades. In this study, the competitive interaction of BSF and HF larvae was observed on fresh (day 0) and aged poultry manure (manure aged for two, four, six, or eight days). Specifically, a priority effect study was conducted to determine if colonization sequence influences time to first pupariation (HF) or pre-pupation (BSF), survivorship, and weight. Results show >70% of HFs reached pupariation in all treatments except when placed on manure eight days after the initial inoculation with BSF. However, age of the resource negatively impacted time to first pupariation and puparium weight when HFs were reared alone or introduced two to eight days after BSF. No BSF pre-pupae resulted from treatments in which HFs were the pioneering species. BSFs reached the highest percent pre-pupation when reared alone on fresh manure, but BSFs may be more susceptible to the negative impacts of an aging resource, as no pre-pupae were observed when provided with six- or eight-day-old manure. Similar to HFs, age of the resource may have impacted development and survivorship; other factors such as moisture content, chemical composition, and amount of resource provided may have also impacted our results. These data may be useful in implementing BSFs as biological control agents of the HF, as well provide valuable information for facilities mass-producing HFs or BSFs for food or feed.

Bioconversion of poultry manure and vegetable waste mixes by Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

“…Other factors to consider when looking at the use of neonates directly on the waste compared to the use of starter feeds are the economic costs and benefits. Lower survival and longer development times can translate into reduced yield and increased cost respectively (Miranda et al, 2019). However, the cost of a starter feed may be high as well.…”

No neonates without adults

“…[ 90 ] Second, the species’ role as a competitor to other livestock pests was illuminated, particularly against Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), in poultry facilities. [ 64,94 ]…”

“…The relative breadth of the niche which H . illucens occupies is curious to consider, particularly because they must contend with biological threats emanating from pathogens (fungi, [ 57 ] Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria, [ 57 ] and entomopathogenic nematodes [ 58 ] ), insect predators and parasitoids, [ 59–62 ] as well as interkingdom, [ 63 ] intraguild, [ 64 ] and intraspecific competitors; [ 65 ] and yet, persist worldwide. Moreover, while most Stratiomyidae are confined to relatively narrow aquatic niches or scavenge amongst rotting wood, dung, or animal nests, [ 4 ] H .…”

Cultural Control of Drosophila suzukii in Small Fruit—Current and Pending Tactics in the U.S.

“…Crushing of infested Montmorency tart cherries on the orchard floor using a golf cart eliminated reproduction of D. suzukii in crushed fruit within 72 h, while reproduction continued for at least nine days in uncrushed fruit (N. Rothwell, unpublished). Black soldier fly reduces or eliminates pest flies in animal manures [ 97 , 98 ], and preliminary laboratory trials suggest that the addition of early instar black soldier fly to small volumes of fruit waste can eliminate D. suzukii reproduction, either by influencing oviposition decisions or by direct competition with or predation by developing black soldier flies (M. Grieshop et al unpublished).…”