What is useful for the lion fly larva: a black soldier, which is valued by both fishermen and gardeners

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The lion fly or black soldier fly is a noteworthy representative of the family Stratiomyia chamaeleon of the Diptera order. Its homeland is the tropical regions of South America. Since insect larvae are of the greatest value, the main purpose of an adult is to replenish the population.

General description of the insect Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens)

Despite the name, the outward resemblance of a lion cub to an ordinary fly is absent. It is more like a wasp, although it does not possess poison or a sting.

The appearance of a fly
This is a rather large yellow-black insect with a wide spherical head and a body length of up to 14 mm. The lion has a flattened abdomen of 5-8 visible segments, short legs, transparent dark wings and antennae. Since the size of the fly depends largely on the amount of food it received in the larval stage, mature individuals can be endowed with similar biometric data.
Distribution
Today, the Black Lion lives everywhere. It has been brought by man to all continents. In nature, it is found near water bodies on flowering vegetation, as well as near foci of decaying organic matter: rotting leaves, dung heaps and food waste.
Features of adults
This fly is distinguished by a poorly developed licking-type mouth apparatus, therefore it cannot eat and can only drink. The second feature lies in the sexual dimorphism of adult insects. The female can only be identified by its smaller size. She lays 500-900 eggs on various parts of plants, which takes no more than a week.
Features of the larva
On average, after 4 days, tiny larvae of an off-white or yellowish color, not exceeding three millimeters in length, emerge from the egg clutch. Their surface covers are saturated with calcium carbonate, which provides reliable protection, both to the larvae themselves and to the pupae formed later under the shell.
Food
The newborn offspring feeds with the help of a beak-shaped process and a pair of movable brushes. Everything that can be found is used for food: bird droppings, excrement, organic matter, meat and other products. The exception is cellulose. The larvae of the black soldier are characterized by a very dense degree of filling of the substrate. In one waste container, a concentration of one hundred thousand lion cubs is possible, capable of processing more than 90% of the “edible” in a couple of hours.
Development
Like other representatives of Diptera, the development of Hermetia illucens goes with a full cycle of transformation. The first longest stage takes about two weeks, during which individuals reach five millimeters. During the second stage, which lasts ten days, their body doubles in size. At the third eight-day pre-pupa stage, the larvae increase to 2 cm, acquire a rich brown color and a dense hard cover. In the form of a chrysalis, the future lion cub stays for 10-11 days, after which an adult is born from a cocoon.

Is there any benefit from the fly Hermetia illucens and its larvae

The production of black soldier larvae is carried out in many countries, including Russia. They serve as food for birds, livestock and pets and are used in various fields of activity.

The huge benefit of the lion is that as a result of the introduction of fly larvae into waste, the issue of recycling organic matter is resolved by itself. Not a trace remains of them.

Use in medicine
Insect larvae are of great importance for cosmetic and medical purposes. The presence of larval extract in the cream helps to smooth wrinkles and tighten the skin. Applying applications with black soldier's flour to the wound relieves inflammation and heals damaged integuments. The use of tincture based on larvae serves as a prophylactic agent for oncological and viral pathologies.
Application in fishing and farming 
Fishermen use maggots of a soldier for hooking and feeding. On the nickname they catch crucian carp, carp, red-eyed, roach and some large predatory fish. In the agricultural industry, black fly larvae are used to produce organic fertilizers and zoo compost. These substrates contain the necessary macro- and microelements, microflora useful for the soil and plants.

Nutritional value of the Black Lion Larva

Due to the balanced nutritional composition, the use of insect larvae is possible both in the form of fat, and as a source of easily digestible protein, and a chitosan-melanin complex. As a dietary supplement, protein flour or whole dry larvae are used.

Terror from the lake. Lion fly larva (Stratiomyia chamaeleon)

Breeding of Hermetia illucens fly larvae in honeycombs

This method consists in using natural and artificial honeycombs, which act as a matrix, to increase the egg clutches of the soldier fly.

  1. Cells with honey residues for feeding larvae are installed on both sides of the overall structure, which is economical and efficient for building combs. Their diameter reaches 4-7 mm, depth - 5-15 mm, wall thickness - 0,1-1 mm, bottom - 0,1-2 mm.
  2. The female lays fertilized eggs in these combs, and they remain at rest for three days.
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