While the basics of black soldier fly farming are well understood, recent research suggests that the effects of light color and frequency play a crucial role in enhancing reproduction rates. This article explores how lighting techniques, mimicking natural environments and tropical conditions, can positively influence the reproductive behavior of black soldier flies.
Creating a Natural Environment:
To optimize the reproduction of black soldier flies, farmers are turning to innovative lighting strategies that simulate their natural habitat. Breeding walls, painted in reflective white, are utilized to enhance the overall brightness of the environment. White walls not only reflect light effectively but also serve as a canvas for manipulating light colors to create a sense of the tropics.
Blue Light from Above:
In nature, sunlight casts a blue hue from above, creating a sky-like atmosphere. Mimicking this effect, blue light is strategically positioned above the flies. This not only provides an impression of sunlight but also stimulates the upper half of the black soldier fly eye, which is more receptive to blue light.
Green Light Below:
To further enhance the naturalistic setting, green light is reflected from below. This is inspired by the idea of leaves on the ground, creating a dappled effect. White walls contribute by bouncing green light, making the environment more visually appealing and potentially influencing the lower half of the BSF eye, which is more responsive to green light.
Understanding BSF Eye Sensitivity:
Research indicates that the upper half of the black soldier fly eye is better at receiving blue light, while the lower half is more sensitive to green light. By strategically incorporating these light colors, farmers aim to optimize the visual stimuli for the black soldier flies, potentially influencing their mating and reproductive behaviors.
Recreating Tropical Conditions:
In an effort to recreate tropical conditions, farmers are implementing lighting strategies that mimic the variability of light in a natural environment. This involves simulating cloudy and rainy seasons, starting the day with low light, and gradually introducing light pulses.
Light Pulse Timing:
The length and frequency of light pulses are critical factors that depend on environmental conditions, particularly temperature. On colder days, more extended light pulses may be required to encourage reproductive activity. However, as a general guideline, a system running for an hour may introduce 10-minute light pulses at regular intervals.
As the importance of black soldier flies in waste management and sustainable agriculture grows, understanding their reproductive behavior becomes crucial for maximizing yields. The strategic use of light color and frequency offers a promising avenue for optimizing black soldier fly reproduction. By replicating natural environments and tropic conditions, farmers can create an ideal setting for these insects to thrive, contributing to the overall success of black soldier fly farming and its potential impact on sustainable food production.
For more information
Insect bioconversion of waste, please contact us at the Insect school: https://www.insectschool.com/
Turnkey insect farms - https://www.insectengineers.com/bsfturnkey/production
If you would like to book BSF industry keynote speaker Bob Holtermans for your event: https://www.insectengineers.com/about-us/speaker-bobholtermans
