Date of Award

2010

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.Sc.

Department

Biological Sciences

Keywords

Biology, Ecology.

Supervisor

Vanlaerhoven, Sherah (Biological Sciences)

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) has been found to successfully reduce manure in confined animal feeding operations of poultry, swine and bovine. In equatorial climates, H. illucens is active year round, however, in more temperate climates they are only active during the warmer months of the year. Since insect development is greatly influenced by the ambient environment including pupation substrate, relative humidity, daylength and temperature, it is necessary to explore the effects these abiotic factors have on black soldier fly development when proposing to utilize a species that is not active throughout the year in temperate climates for a year-round waste management process. The objectives for this study include determining the abiotic factors limiting H. illucens egg eclosion and adult emergence. The results of this study indicate pupation substrate facilitated or impeded development depending on substrate type as well development improved with increasing temperature, relative humidity and hours of daylight.

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