Lekking Behavior of the Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

Tomberlin, Jeffery K.; Sheppard, D. Craig

doi:10.2307/3496413

Cited by 102Animal Behavior and ReproductionDiptera species taxonomy and behaviorInsect Utilization and Effects

Lekking Behavior of the Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

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Tomberlin, Jeffery K., Sheppard, D. Craig·2001·The Florida Entomologist

DOI 10.2307/3496413

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Abstract

SUMMARY We describe the lekking behavior of the blacksoldier fly. If this lekking behavior at specific hab-itats is needed for H. illucens mating to occur, theidentification and conservation of these sites nearCAFOs would be important. Without these sites,we hypothesize that mating may be reduced ornot occur at all, resulting in a reduction in the sol-dier fly population and associated benefits. Wewould like to thank J. Ruberson and J. Greene fortheir helpful comments on this manuscript. REFERENCES CITED COPELLO, A. 1926. Biologia de Hermetia illuscens Latr.Rev. Soc. Ent. Argentina 1: 23-27.FuRMAN, D. P., R. D. YOUNG, AND E. P. CATrS. 1959.Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus) as a factor in the natu-ral control of Musca domestica Linnaeus. J. Econ.Entomol. 52: 917-921.JAMES, M. T. 1935. The genus Hermetia in the UnitedStates (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Bull. Brooklyn Ent.Soc. 30: 165-170.MAy, B. M. 1961. The occurrence in New Zealand andthe life history of the soldier fly Hermetia illucens(L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). N.Z. J. Sci. 4: 55-65.NEWTON, G. L., C. V. BOORAM, R. W. BARKER, AND O. M.HALE. 1977. Dried Hermetia illucens larvae meal asa supplement for swine. J. Anim. Sci. 44: 395-399.O'NEILL, K. M. 1983. Territoriality, body size, and spac-ing in males of the bee wolf Philanthus basilaris(Hymenoptera: Sphecidae). Behaviour 86: 295-321.SHEPPARD, D. C. 1983. House fly and lesser fly controlutilizing the black soldier fly in manure manage-ment systems for caged laying hens. Environ. Ento-mol. 12: 1439-1442.SHEPPARD, D. C., AND G. L. NEWTON. 2000. Valuable by-products of a manure management system using theblack soldier fly-A literature review with some cur-rent results. Animal, Agricultural and Food ProcessingWastes: Proceedings of the 8th International Sympo-sium. James A. Moore ed. American Society of Agricul-tural Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan. pp. 35-39.SHEPPARD, D. C., G. L. NEWTON, S. A. THOMPSON, ANDS. SAVAGE. 1994. A value added manure manage-ment system using the black soldier fly. Bio. Tech. 50:275-279.TINGLE, F. C., E. R. MITCHELL, AND W. COPELAND.

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The observed female BSF behaviour of leaving perch to enter male swarms appears to mirror natural history descriptions in which females visit the lek where males are already present.
“This observed behaviour appears to mirror natural history descriptions in which females visit the lek where males are already present (Tomberlin and Sheppard 2001; Lemke et al. 2023).”
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 Tomberlin and Sheppard 2001
Natural BSF lekking sites have been described as occurring hundreds to potentially thousands of meters from emergence zones.
“Although natural lekking sites have been described as occurring hundreds to potentially thousands of meters from emergence zones (Tomberlin and Sheppard 2001; Lemke et al. 2023)”
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 Tomberlin and Sheppard 2001
Some field and lab observations document stable male aggregations, whilst other reports mention no aggregation except within ephemeral mating balls involving multiple males.
“Some field and lab observations document stable male aggregations (Tomberlin and Sheppard 2001; Lemke et al. 2024), whilst other reports mention no aggregation except within ephemeral mating balls involving multiple males (Permana et al. 2020), although these might be incorrectly mistaken for leks.”
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 Tomberlin and Sheppard 2001
The mating system of BSF is described as 'lekking' or 'lek-like', in which males aggregate at spatially distinct sites which females visit strictly to mate.
“The mating system of BSF is described as 'lekking' (Tomberlin and Sheppard 2001) or 'lek- like' (Birrell 2018), in which males aggregate at spatially distinct sites which females visit strictly to mate (Alcock 1990).”
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 Tomberlin and Sheppard 2001
The interaction between industrial selection pressures and ancestral reproductive behaviours such as the separation of mating sites from oviposition sites enables research to test how evolutionary 'holdovers' persist or decay in closed systems by comparing patterns in captivity to those in the wild.
“The interaction between industrial selection pressures and ancestral reproductive behaviours such as the separation of mating sites from oviposition sites (Tomberlin and Sheppard 2001) enables research to test of how evolutionary 'holdovers' persist or decay in closed systems (Lemke et al. 2024) by comparing patterns in captivity to those in the wild (Lemke, Smith, Smink, 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 Tomberlin and Sheppard 2001

A value added manure management system using the black soldier fly
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Black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens ) as a protein ingredient in poultry feed
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Validation of Acrylic Paint as a Marking Technique for Examining Mating Success of the Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)
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Effect of various odour attractants on egg-laying activity of black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens)
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Effect of Variations in the Pretreatment of Organic Waste on The Growth of Black Soldier Flies (BSF) Larval
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“The mating system of BSF is described as ‘lekking’ (Tomberlin and Sheppard 2001) or ‘lek-like’ (Birrell 2018), in which males aggregate at spatially distinct sites which females visit strictly to mate (Alcock 1990).”
Influential
Artificial Multiplication of the Black Soldier Fly(BSF), Hermetia illucens(Diptera: Stratmyidae) Using the Livestock Feces
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Kara Asker Sineği Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758)
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Wild Flies: Mating Behavior, Adult Foraging, Habitat Use, and Gut Microbiota of Hermetia illucens in Costa Rica
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Male courtship behaviour and potential for female mate choice in the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)
Giunti, G., Campolo, O., Laudani, F., & Palmeri, V. (2018) · Entomologia Generalis · doi:10.1127/entomologia/2018/0657 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Mating Success and Reproductive Behavior of Black Soldier Fly Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) in Tropics
Julita, U., Lusianti F, L., Eka Putra, R., & Dana Perma, A. (2020) · Journal of Entomology · doi:10.3923/je.2020.117.127 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Factors Influencing Mating and Oviposition of Black Soldier Flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) in a Colony
Tomberlin, J. K., & Sheppard, D. C. (2002) · Journal of Entomological Science · doi:10.18474/0749-8004-37.4.345 · Cited by 238 · see citing works
Self-citation

Authors: Tomberlin, J. K., & Sheppard, D. C.
ORCID: Tomberlin, Jeffery K.
Venue: The Florida Entomologist
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Published: 2001-12
Volume: 84
Issue: 4
Pages: 729
ISSN: 0015-4040 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.2307/3496413
OpenAlex: W2119955657
Cited by: 102
References: 10
Citations by year: 2026: 8 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 1
FWCI: 0.85
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
doi.org
Locations: Florida Entomologist (publishedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Diptera species taxonomy and behavior
Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Insect Utilization and Effects
Keywords: Hermetia illucens, mating behavior, Stratiomyidae, mating sites, livestock waste management, pig feed, biological control, territoriality, New Zealand, New South Wales, South Australia

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Lekking Behavior of the Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

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