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Cited by 16Animal Behavior and ReproductionInsect and Arachnid Ecology and BehaviorNeurobiology and Insect Physiology Research

Gone but not forgotten: dynamics of sperm storage and potential ejaculate digestion in the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens

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Manas, Frédéric, Piterois, Harmony, Labrousse, Carole, Beaugeard, Laureen, Uzbekov, Rustem, Bressac, Christophe·2024·Royal Society Open Science
DOI 10.1098/rsos.241205PMC PMC11521600
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Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of sperm storage is essential to unravel the complexity of post-copulatory sexual selection processes in internally fertilized species. This physiological process goes from sperm transfer during copulation to its use for fertilization. In this context, the spatiotemporal dynamics of sperm storage were described in the black soldier fly (BSF) with fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). BSF females have compartmentalized spermathecae with a transfer compartment, the fishnet canals, and a storage compartment, the reservoirs. Spermatozoa were counted both during and after mating in the two compartments. In addition to seminal fluids, the male transfers a mass of sperm in the fishnet canals, then only 49% of the transferred spermatozoa reach the reservoirs over two days. TEM observations of the fishnet canals revealed potential digestive functions, explaining the decline in the number and viability of spermatozoa in this compartment but not in the reservoirs. After one mating, females laid up to three fertile clutches, showing no constraints on sperm quantity or quality. Spermatic and ultrastructural investigations strongly suggest that BSF ejaculate acts both as a sperm plug and as a nuptial gift, reinforcing the interest in studying this farming insect as a new model for sexual selection.

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  • Seminal components transferred by males to females may contribute to female longevity, potentially acting as nuptial gifts for females to digest by supplying amino acids and/or lipids that may support egg development and/or metabolic function.

    “Interestingly, the seminal components transferred by males to females may contribute to female longevity, potentially acting as nuptial gifts (Harjoko et al. 2023) for females to digest (Manas et al. 2024) by supplying amino acids and/or lipids that may support egg development and/or metabolic function.”

    From Beyond the Black Box: Reproductive Strategies of the Black Soldier Fly as a Model for Bridging Evolutionary Biology and Applied Entomology (2026) · cites this paper as Manas et al. 2024

    Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

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  • In BSF, recent studies document polygynandry, steep reproductive skews, extended sperm storage and possible cryptic female choice, including ejaculate digestion and selective sperm retention.

    “In BSF, recent studies document polygynandry, steep reproductive skews, extended sperm storage and possible cryptic female choice, including ejaculate digestion and selective sperm retention (Muraro et al. 2024; Manas et al. 2024; Manas, Labrousse, and Bressac 2025).”

    From Beyond the Black Box: Reproductive Strategies of the Black Soldier Fly as a Model for Bridging Evolutionary Biology and Applied Entomology (2026) · cites this paper as Manas et al. 2024

    The Introduction reports a polygynandrous mating system in BSF, and the Discussion reports prolonged sperm storage and evidence suggesting possible sperm digestion. The paper does not document steep reproductive skews or selective sperm retention in BSF; its discussion of sperm-based cryptic female choice describes mechanisms in other species, not a demonstrated BSF finding. No page numbers are provided in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Female BSF can lay two to three fertile clutches after even a single mating.

    “Originally these additional clutches were thought to be completely infertile (Nakamura et al. 2016) but female BSF can lay two to three fertile clutches after even a single mating (Manas et al. 2024).”

    From Beyond the Black Box: Reproductive Strategies of the Black Soldier Fly as a Model for Bridging Evolutionary Biology and Applied Entomology (2026) · cites this paper as Manas et al. 2024

  • The total number of stored sperm can range from a few hundred to several thousand, and it may take about 48 h for approximately 50% of transferred sperm to reach the sperm storage reservoirs.

    “The total number of stored sperm can range from a few hundred to several thousand (Manas et al. 2024) and it may take about 48 h for approximately 50% of transferred sperm to reach the sperm storage reservoirs.”

    From Beyond the Black Box: Reproductive Strategies of the Black Soldier Fly as a Model for Bridging Evolutionary Biology and Applied Entomology (2026) · cites this paper as Manas et al. 2024

  • The highly specialised sperm storage organs of BSF females are capable of retaining more sperm than required to fertilise a single clutch.

    “The highly specialised sperm storage organs of BSF females are capable of retaining more sperm than required to fertilise a single clutch (Manas et  al.  2024).”

    From Beyond the Black Box: Reproductive Strategies of the Black Soldier Fly as a Model for Bridging Evolutionary Biology and Applied Entomology (2026) · cites this paper as Manas et al. 2024

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  56. [59]Manas F, Piterois H, Beaugard L, Uzbekov R, Bressac C. 2024. Data from: Gone but not forgotten: dynamics of sperm storage and potential ejaculate digestion in the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens. Figshare. (10.6084/m9.figshare.c.7509992) PMC11521600 39479251 · DOI

Authors
Manas, F., Piterois, H., Labrousse, C., Beaugeard, L., Uzbekov, R., & Bressac, C.
Affiliations
Université de Tours (FR)
Corresponding author
Manas, Frédéric
ORCID
Venue
Royal Society Open Science
Publisher
The Royal Society
Published
2024-10-01
Volume
11
Issue
10
Pages
241205-241205
ISSN
2054-5703 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1098/rsos.241205
PMC
PMC11521600
OpenAlex
W4403856131
Cited by
16
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 1
FWCI
6.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Royal Society Open Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • École doctorale Santé, Sciences Biologiques et Chimie du Vivant
  • Région centre Val de Loire
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
Keywords
sperm storage, Hermetia illucens, spermatheca, sperm viability, nuptial gifts, sperm plug, postcopulatory sexual selection, internal fertilization, female fertility, insect reproduction

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