




Hermetia illucens
The Black Soldier Fly is a special insect that helps break down food waste. They have shiny black bodies and are great at turning trash into compost, making them super helpful for our planet!
Habitat: Urban areas
The Black Soldier Fly is a dark-bodied insect, often black or metallic blue, resembling a small wasp more than a common housefly. It has two distinctive clear 'windows' on its abdomen and somewhat elongated antennae.





Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
11
Adult Black Soldier Flies don't eat at all; they live off stored energy!
Their larvae can devour half their body weight in food every single day.
These flies are spreading worldwide, thriving by recycling human food waste.
They're incredibly clean, helping reduce harmful bacteria in their feeding areas.
Black Soldier Fly larvae can break down organic waste quickly, turning it into valuable compost.
Black Soldier Flies mimic wasps, helping them avoid predators because they look dangerous.
Black Soldier Fly larvae convert low-value waste into high-value protein and fat, used as animal feed.
Larvae are voracious eaters of decaying organic matter, while adults do not feed.
Age differences: Adults do not feed; larvae consume vast amounts of decaying organic matter.

Rattus rattus
Rats sometimes prey on BSF larvae in composting systems.
Bufo bufo
Toads readily consume larvae and pupae.
Homo sapiens
People farm larvae for waste management and animal feed production.
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem.
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
No aliases listed yet.
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Black Soldier Flies are safe and friendly, but it's best to watch them from a distance.
The easiest way to identify Black Soldier Fly is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
24-40 mm
12-20 mm
5-8 days
5 km/h
Larvae are voracious eaters of decaying organic matter, while adults do not feed.
Urban areas
Scavenging
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Jun 4, 2026
Andree Clark Bird RefugePhoto attribution
(c) Christine Melvin, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.

Tennessee, US
You might spot House Sparrow, Northern Mockingbird, and Gulf Fritillary.
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California, US
You might spot Western Fence Lizard and Eastern Fox Squirrel.
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Alabama, US
You might spot Muscovy Duck and Gulf Longear Sunfish.
View guide →
California, US
You might spot Eastern Fox Squirrel, Bee, and House Sparrow.
View guide →

Missouri, US
You might spot Giraffes, African Lion, and Tiger.
View guide →

California, US
You might spot Giraffes, African Lion, and Gorilla.
View guide →