Suitability of Black Soldier Fly Larvae as Host for Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Black soldier fly Hermetia illucens (L.) larvae can serve many uses, of which potential exists for its use as a host for mass production of entomopathogenic nematodes. This study evaluates its larval instars for their suitability for rearing of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Poinar) and Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser). The results revealed that 4th instar larvae is economical and effective, and this can be used at farm level. Thus, it can be popularized for mass production of entomopathogenic nematodes. The nematodes/ cadaver was found to be half as that from Galleria, and hence two 4^th instar cadavers can be recommended in place of a single Galleria cadaver. The results also showed that H. illucens is unsuitable for mass multiplication of S. carpocapsae.