Abstract: 【Aim】 To evaluate the effects of the artificial diet with low water content on the growth and development of the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens. 【Methods】 The black soldier fly was reared in climatic cabinet (27℃, RH 80%, photoperiod 14L∶10D) with artificial diet. Such biological characteristics as the larval survival rate, larval weight, adult body length, eclosion rate and duration of different developmental stages were compared among the flies reared with the artificial diet with 30%, 50% and 70% water content, respectively, of which the artificial diets with 70% water content was used as the control. 【Results】 The larval weight of the black soldiery fly reared with the diets with 30% and 50% water content were significantly different (P<0.05) and lower than the control (P<0.05). The black soldier fly could not develop to prepupae when reared with the diet with 30% water content, and most larvae died within 13 d. The beginning time and finishing time of prepupal stage in the 50% water content group was 5 and 14 d later than the control, respectively. The duration of prepupal stage in the 50% water content diet group was 18 d, which was 8 d longer than the control. The body lengths of female and male adults in the 50% water content diet group was significantly shorter than those in the control (P<0.05). Adults in the 50% water content diet group began eclosion 5 d later than the control, and the duration of eclosion was 18 d, which was 5 d longer than the control. The time from egg hatch to the eclosion of all adults in the 50% water content diet group was 55.67 d, while that in the control group was 45.00 d. However, there was no significant difference in larval survival rate and adult eclosion rate between the 50% water content group and the control (P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 The results suggest that the artificial diet with water content lower than 70% is not suitable for the growth and development of the black soldier fly.

Key words: Hermetia illucens, artificial diet, water content, growth and development, biological parameters