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Cited by 6Insect Utilization and EffectsNeurobiology and Insect Physiology ResearchForensic Entomology and Diptera Studies

BugBook: Life cycle, reproduction, and morphofunctional characterisation of the gut, fat body, and haemocytes in the black soldier fly

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Bruno, D., Manas, F., Bonelli, M., Gold, M., Marzari, M., Roma, D., Valoroso, M.C., Montali, A. +7 more·2025·Journal of Insects as Food and Feed
DOI 10.1163/23524588-20250002
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Abstract

Insects are attracting significant attention due to their effectiveness as bioconversion agents for various organic waste and by-products, as well as for their use as raw material in the food and feed sector. Consequently, their potential in creating novel, circular, and sustainable supply chains has been extensively documented, leading to a rapid increase in research on the biology of these animals. In this scenario, the black soldier fly (BSF) has gained considerable popularity. Despite the extraordinary bioconversion capabilities of BSF larvae, several challenges must be addressed to develop and optimise the bioconversion process of a wide range of organic substrates. This effort is accompanied by the need to standardise research protocols. To this end, in this article we present information on the morphological features of developmental stages of BSF, the isolation of larval organs, and methods for studying digestion, immune response, and the reproductive system.

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  • Females possess complex sperm storage organs: three spherical spermathecae, attached to three sclerotised rods that end in hinges, connected to three separate fishnet canals containing sperm.

    “Females possess complex sperm storage organs: three spherical spermathecae, attached to three sclerotised rods that end in hinges, which are connected to three separate fishnet canals (that contain sperm) (Munsch-­ Masset et  al.  2023; Bruno et al. 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 Bruno et al. 2025

    The 'Male and female reproductive tracts' section (p. 7) describes three spermathecae, fishnet canals that receive sperm, and rigid tubes forming an elbow before the sperm-storage reservoirs. It does not describe the spermathecae as spherical or the tubes as three sclerotised rods ending in hinges; it also places the reservoirs, rather than the fishnet canals, at the end of the storage pathway. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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References 107 · Cited by 6

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Authors
Bruno, D., Manas, F., Bonelli, M., Gold, M., Marzari, M., Roma, D., Valoroso, M. C., Montali, A., Guillaume, J. B., Rebora, M., Bressac, C., Herman, N., Caccia, S., Casartelli, M., & Tettamanti, G.
Affiliations
  • University of Insubria (IT)
  • Université de Tours (FR)
  • University of Milan (IT)
  • ETH Zurich (CH)
  • R&D Department, Agronutris, 16 rue du Négoce, 31650 Saint-Orens de Gameville, France
  • University of Perugia (IT)
  • Migal - Galilee Technology Center (IL)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Insects as Food and Feed
Publisher
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Published
2025-05-21
Volume
11
Issue
18
Pages
289-316
ISSN
2352-4588 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1163/23524588-20250002
OpenAlex
W4410573204
Cited by
6
References
107
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 1
FWCI
4.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Insects as Food and Feed (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca (Universita Degli Studi Di Milano) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • IrInSubria (University of Insubria) (submittedVersion)
  • Repository for Publications and Research Data (ETH Zurich) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • ETH Zürich Research Collection (cc-by)
Funders
  • Fondazione Cariplo (2020‐0900, 2022‐0631, PRIN 2022)
  • Università degli Studi dell'Insubria (2020-0900)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Insect Utilization and Effects
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
Keywords
Hermetia illucens, organic waste, insect life cycle, insect reproduction, fat body, hemocytes, insect immunity, larval digestion, insect development stages

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