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Cited by 3Neurobiology and Insect Physiology ResearchInsect Utilization and EffectsInsect behavior and control techniques

The hidden sweet tooth of the black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens )

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Merle, Marie, Gueddes, Tasnim, Gueye, Mouhamadou Moustapha, Foughar, Meroua, Jiogue-Lacdo, Jessica, Maquart, Pierre-Olivier, Marion-Poll, Frédéric, Filée, Jonathan·2026·Journal of Experimental Biology
DOI 10.1242/jeb.252160

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Abstract

The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, is increasingly studied for its ability to convert organic waste into protein, offering solutions for waste valorisation and livestock feeding. Adult performance is critical for egg production, yet the behavioural and molecular bases of sugar feeding in adult black soldier flies remain poorly understood. To fill this gap, we combined behavioural assays, morphological analyses, electrophysiological recordings and gustatory receptor (GR) repertoires and expression. All the experimental tests conducted in this study converge to show that adult flies can detect and consume sucrose, with females responding more strongly than males. Genome analysis identified 28 GRs, a surprisingly small number for a generalist fly, including only three putative sugar-specific GRs homologous to those of the eight known sugar GRs in Drosophila. Moreover, one of these GRs showed a general high level of expression including in the head and in the antennae whereas the other two displayed tissue-specific patterns of expression. We also identified a high number of GR pseudogenes, including four putative sugar receptor pseudogenes, indicating multiple gene loss events of GRs compared with other dipterans sharing a similar ecological niche. Despite this reduced GR repertoire, adult black soldier flies retained strong behavioural and physiological sensitivity to sugars in their environment. The set of behavioural, morphological and electrophysiological tools developed here provides a foundation for deeper investigations into feeding behaviour in this species of growing agroecological importance.

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Authors
Merle, M., Gueddes, T., Gueye, M. M., Foughar, M., Jiogue-Lacdo, J., Maquart, P.-O., Marion-Poll, F., & Filée, J.
Affiliations
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
  • Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes, Comportement, Écologie (EGCE), CNRS, IRD, Université Paris-Saclay 1 , CNRS UMR 9191, IRD UMR 247, IDEEV. 12 route 128, 91198 Gif sur Yvette ,
Corresponding author
Filée, Jonathan
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Experimental Biology
Publisher
The Company of Biologists
Published
2026-04-15
Volume
229
Issue
8
ISSN
  • 0022-0949 (ISSN-L)
  • 1477-9145
DOI
10.1242/jeb.252160
OpenAlex
W7135181929
Cited by
3
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 3
FWCI
7.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.biologists.com/user-licence-1-2/ (vor)
Locations
  • Journal of Experimental Biology (publishedVersion)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
Funders
Agence Nationale de la Recherche (INSECTION_ ANR-23-DIVP-0002, ANR-22-CPJ2-00995-01)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Insect Utilization and Effects
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Insect behavior and control techniques
Keywords
Hermetia illucens, sugar feeding, taste receptors, sucrose detection, sex differences in feeding, gene loss, feeding behaviour, waste valorization
MeSH terms
Animals, Diptera, Feeding Behavior, Female, Male, Receptors, Cell Surface, Sucrose, Insect Proteins

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