Abstract: 【Aim】 The aim of this study is to clarify the starvation tolerance of Hermetia illucens larvae and to examine the biological characteristics of development and fertility of starved larvae after refeeding, so as to provide a theoretical basis for assessing the effects of starvation on the subsequent development of H. illucens larvae and a guidance on production practices. 【Methods】 H. illucens larvae of different day-old or with different body weights were subjected to starvation for different periods of time. The relationships of starvation tolerance of the larvae with their day-old and body weight were established. Biological characteristics of 7 day-old larvae after being starved for different time and refeeding, including the time of prepupal appearance, cumulative prepupal rate, prepupal weight, and adult reproduction, were assayed. 【Results】 The median lethal time (LT₅₀) of H. illucens larvae after starvation was exponentially related to their age in days and linearly related to their body weight. The 7-day-old larvae had relatively stronger starvation tolerance, with the LT₅₀ value exceeding 50 d and the survival rate of 95% after 30 d starvation. As for the individuals with the body weight less than 0.5 g per hundred larvae, their LT₅₀ value was less than 30 d. As for the individuals with body weights 2-2.5 g per hundred larvae, their LT₅₀ value was 45-70 d. When the larvae over 8-day-old or heavier than 4.5 g per hundred individuals were subjected to starvation for 5 d, most of them entered the subsequent developmental stage ahead of time. During 0-40 d starvation, the prepupal rate had no obvious change, but the prepupal weight increased significantly. Short-term starvation (0-10 d) of larvae had no significant effect on the egg-laying amount of adults, but long-term starvation (30-40 d) of larvae had a significant effect on the egg-laying amount of adults. Moreover, the egg hatching rate decreased significantly when the larvae were subjected to starvation for more than 30 d. 【Conclusion】 The results suggest that H. illucens larvae of different day-old or with different body weights all show certain starvation tolerance, and the prepupal weight of starved larvae increases significantly after refeeding.

Key words: Hermetia illucens, rearing, larvae, starvation tolerance, refeeding, biological characteristics