The Black Soldier Fly Hermetia illucens in Cyprus

🦟 The Black Soldier Fly Hermetia illucens originates from North America and has been deliberately or unintentionally introduced around the globe.

🐄 It is considered an important bioconverter (reducing organic matter) and has been cultivated in insect farming for the production of animal feed. In Europe, H. illucens has been released in nature as a biological agent against the house fly in stables and farms.

🗺️ Citizen-scientists and scientists first observed this alien fly in Cyprus in 2019. Up-to-date, the species has been seen only in Limassol but is expected to gradually become widespread on the island.

🆘 No negative impacts are known but further research is necessary to evaluate any adverse effects on invertebrates facilitating the decomposition of organic matter.

📖 For further information read our publication here: https://tinyurl.com/y4yvv5cu

Demetriou J, Kalaentzis K, Kazilas C, Kunz G, Muller B, Mostovski MB, Koutsoukos E (2022) An “alien” species on the loose: new records and updated distribution of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens in the Western Palearctic. Bulletin of Insectology 75(1): 125-130.

Posted on January 24, 2023 06:49 AM by jakovosdemetriou