Living With Black Soldier Flies

Soldier Fly Larvae In Compost

Black soldier flies are attracting substantial interest for their activity as composters, animal and fish feed. Livestock operations have waste that attracts nuisance flies. Black soldier flies can compete for the same food but are not pests as adults. Replacing the population of pest flies with black soldier flies would be helpful to livestock operations.

Black soldier flies are common in the warm temperatures of summer but do less well in cooler temperatures. Maintaining soldier flies year round requires providing the adults flies with suitable conditions for mating during cold winter months. Black soldier flies mate in the air and require a substantial flight space. They are sensitive to light and temperature, preferring direct sunlight and temperatures between 70 and 80. Anecdotal success stories can be found online but are not necessarily successful for everyone. A more rigorous study of mating conditions for black soldier flies would be appreciated by many fans of this insects.