The Grubs of the Exotic Black Soldier Fly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KylJcAn_jXg&feature=player_embedded
Calci-Worms (same species as Phoenix Worms just a different brand name)naturally have 23 to 61 times more calcium than other commonly fed feeder insects! Calci-Worms are ready to serve when you take them home. There's no need to dust or gut load these insects before feeding your pet. Store in a cool place. Warm to room temperature before feeding them off and watch them wriggle once warm!
Please note: Calci worms will turn darker as they age and near their final stage of growth. There is nothing wrong with the dark coloured ones these still have the same nutritional values as the white ones. This is a perfectly natural process and nothing to worry about.
Natural History
The Black Soldier Fly has a worldwide distribution in the tropics and warm temperate regions.
It is considered a native of the North American continent, and can be found in many parts of the United States.
It is exceptionally active in the Southeastern states from April to November.
Soldier Grubs are considered beneficial scavengers in nature, and help to digest and recycle decomposing organic material including carrion, manure, fruits, and decaying plant waste. This species can also be found inhabiting beehives.
Their association to humanity is limited to compost piles, facilities producing manure, and poorly serviced toilets that contain biosolids. Unlike the common house fly or fruit fly, they are not commonly found in association with humanity (picnics, kitchens, residential buildings, etc.).
There is significant potential for use in forensic entomology. The larvae are preyed upon by histerid beetles, sphecid wasps, and certain varieties of birds. Common names include: Privy Flies (associated with outhouses), Meal Maggots (fly fisherman), Soldier Grubs and Phoenix Worms.
Egg & Larval Description
The average egg case includes approx. 400-600 eggs; the tiny 1 mm eggs hatch in a little over 100 hours. If environmental conditions are favorable and there is adequate food, the cream colored larvae can reach full maturity in 2-4 weeks. This period may be extended to several months if temperature and nourishment are less than optimal. The tough and leathery chitin-skinned juveniles pass through 6 stages of growth called instars. The last of the instars is distinguishable by a color change from cream to dark gray-brown. The pupae develops within the protective, darker-colored skin of the 6th larval instar, which is referred to as the puparium. Larvae over winter in a sheltered dry location, with pupae development slowing considerably during the coldest months. Depending on a multitude of environmental triggers, pupation occurs irregularly throughout spring and summer, so that the emergence of adults is spread out over an extended time period. There are approx. 2500-2550 mature grubs per pound.
The Black Soldier Fly once it turns into a fly, it will not eat, but for the next 5 days or so will only reproduce and then die,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHOG2F6wfww&feature=related
Standard larva reach prepupal stage in 2 wk at30C.
Prepupae migrate from thefood source to pupate.
Adultsemerge after 10 to14 days at 30C.
Adult black soldier flies do not require food to survive but have been found to live longer when provided with a source of water (id use water gels).
Two-day-old adults mate and females oviposit 2 dafter copulation.
Females tend to lay eggs in crevices near food sources,with eggs hatching after 4 days at 27C. Humidity 60% and temperature 26C
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KylJcAn_jXg&feature=player_embedded
Calci-Worms (same species as Phoenix Worms just a different brand name)naturally have 23 to 61 times more calcium than other commonly fed feeder insects! Calci-Worms are ready to serve when you take them home. There's no need to dust or gut load these insects before feeding your pet. Store in a cool place. Warm to room temperature before feeding them off and watch them wriggle once warm!
Please note: Calci worms will turn darker as they age and near their final stage of growth. There is nothing wrong with the dark coloured ones these still have the same nutritional values as the white ones. This is a perfectly natural process and nothing to worry about.
Natural History
The Black Soldier Fly has a worldwide distribution in the tropics and warm temperate regions.
It is considered a native of the North American continent, and can be found in many parts of the United States.
It is exceptionally active in the Southeastern states from April to November.
Soldier Grubs are considered beneficial scavengers in nature, and help to digest and recycle decomposing organic material including carrion, manure, fruits, and decaying plant waste. This species can also be found inhabiting beehives.
Their association to humanity is limited to compost piles, facilities producing manure, and poorly serviced toilets that contain biosolids. Unlike the common house fly or fruit fly, they are not commonly found in association with humanity (picnics, kitchens, residential buildings, etc.).
There is significant potential for use in forensic entomology. The larvae are preyed upon by histerid beetles, sphecid wasps, and certain varieties of birds. Common names include: Privy Flies (associated with outhouses), Meal Maggots (fly fisherman), Soldier Grubs and Phoenix Worms.
Egg & Larval Description
The average egg case includes approx. 400-600 eggs; the tiny 1 mm eggs hatch in a little over 100 hours. If environmental conditions are favorable and there is adequate food, the cream colored larvae can reach full maturity in 2-4 weeks. This period may be extended to several months if temperature and nourishment are less than optimal. The tough and leathery chitin-skinned juveniles pass through 6 stages of growth called instars. The last of the instars is distinguishable by a color change from cream to dark gray-brown. The pupae develops within the protective, darker-colored skin of the 6th larval instar, which is referred to as the puparium. Larvae over winter in a sheltered dry location, with pupae development slowing considerably during the coldest months. Depending on a multitude of environmental triggers, pupation occurs irregularly throughout spring and summer, so that the emergence of adults is spread out over an extended time period. There are approx. 2500-2550 mature grubs per pound.
The Black Soldier Fly once it turns into a fly, it will not eat, but for the next 5 days or so will only reproduce and then die,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHOG2F6wfww&feature=related
Standard larva reach prepupal stage in 2 wk at30C.
Prepupae migrate from thefood source to pupate.
Adultsemerge after 10 to14 days at 30C.
Adult black soldier flies do not require food to survive but have been found to live longer when provided with a source of water (id use water gels).
Two-day-old adults mate and females oviposit 2 dafter copulation.
Females tend to lay eggs in crevices near food sources,with eggs hatching after 4 days at 27C. Humidity 60% and temperature 26C