Study shows the potential of delaying black soldier fly embryo development through chilling

A study conducted by the lifecycle R&D team at Protix, published in 2021 in the scientific Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, describes the phases of embryo development in black soldier fly eggs. The study also explores the potential for delaying embryo development by using a chilling protocol.

The study found that when chilling eggs for 24 hours at 10°C and 80% relative humidity, the development is paused for a full day.

This study presents a window of opportunity for embryo ages, approximately 38-58 hours post oviposition, where the hatch success is the least affected (>80% hatching when compared to control). Outside of this window, the hatch success decreases to 70% and lower.

The description of embryo development can be used as a reference tool for quality control purposes. The effect of treatments on eggs can be determined by identifying key processes in development. Furthermore, the chilling of embryos and thus pausing of development can be applied in a production setting.