Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking at the genetics of Australian BSF and am trying to collect samples from each State and Territory of Oz. If you currently have a colony and are willing to donate around 15 larvae to science please let me know. They will be sent to a University in the US for genetic testing as part of a species study.

If interested please contact me.

Many thanks and great to see so many of you making use of this terrific little fly

What are you testing for? Which university?

Hi. Indianapolis Uni. Looking at genetic differences

can you elaborate on "genetics"?

I can't really extrapolate as I'm not the one doing the research, sorry. I note you're in Florida... I'm looking for Australian BSF samples not US BSF.

Wouldn't it be illegal for people to post BSL to another country?

Hi - no its fine, they'll be dead but preserved in ethanol. Its not illegal to send samples to Labs or Unis either - just has to be done through the correct channels.
Do you have any from Adelaide you'd be willing to donate?

Sorry, no, I don't have a setup here.

My fish are fussy enough with the normal pellets, I didn't like my chances of getting them to eat the BSFL.

Cfl258, when you say 'Australian BSF' I assume you are using it in the same sense as 'Australian rabbits', since although we have native Soldier Flies the black ones (Hermetia illucens) came here from North America.

I have BSF that I could supply, but not in larval form at this time of year. I have deceased adults and also pupae, all of which are first generation descendants of feral Perth stock.

Hi PLJ thanks for the email. Yes BSF came to Aust from the US around 1900 but we are not sure if the strain here is pure US or perhaps another lot came from somewhere else causing mixed genetics. That's what were'e interested to find out. I'll check with the researcher in the US whether your deceased adults and pupae are ok - although I should imagine they would be. Thank you for your response! I'll email back when I can confirm we can use these and discuss process to send.
Cheers,
cfl

Did you ,know there is a black soldier fly forum
http://www.blacksoldierflyfarming.com/forum
They are already doing some studies and members there may be able to help you out.

maybe it is just me, but the 1 post/thread wonders are so entertaining. good luck to your whim sir

The OP is actually a lady and, as far as I am concerned, it is perfectly legitimate to ask a question such as hers on a forum such as this. It is hardly a whim but a genuine scientific inquiry, and I am personally quite happy to help.

I think you should lay off your nasty pills for a while, bcotton.

maybe it is just me

Well said PLJ
Bcotton. Do you feed / use BSFL? Or don't you get them in Tx?

This lady has offered to keep those that want to know informed of the studies out come which in some way may help us.
I don't think making fun of this is quite the BYAP way.

Cfl258 welcome to BYAP, I hope we can interest you into growing fish to feed you BSFL to.