# Black Soldier Fly (*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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Black Soldier Fly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Black_soldier_flies_mating.jpg&width=800) Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_soldier_flies_mating.jpg) ## Appearance 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Stratiomyidae - **Genus:** Hermetia ## Interesting facts - 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. ## Special abilities - **Waste Warrior:** Black Soldier Fly larvae can break down organic waste quickly, turning it into valuable compost. - **Wasp Mimicry:** Black Soldier Flies mimic wasps, helping them avoid predators because they look dangerous. - **Protein Factory:** Black Soldier Fly larvae convert low-value waste into high-value protein and fat, used as animal feed. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 24-40 mm - **Size:** 12-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 5-8 days - **Flight Speed:** 5 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding 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. - **Primary Foods:** rotting fruits, vegetables, manure, food waste, dead animals - **Foraging Method:** Scavenging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [black rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat) (*Rattus rattus*) — Rats sometimes prey on BSF larvae in composting systems. - **Eaten by:** common toad (*Bufo bufo*) — Toads readily consume larvae and pupae. - **Depends on:** humans (*Homo sapiens*) — People farm larvae for waste management and animal feed production. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Black Soldier Flies are safe and friendly, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black Soldier Fly? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Black Soldier Fly's wingspan? 24-40 mm ### How big is Black Soldier Fly? 12-20 mm ### How long does Black Soldier Fly live? 5-8 days ### How fast can Black Soldier Fly fly? 5 km/h ### What does Black Soldier Fly eat? Larvae are voracious eaters of decaying organic matter, while adults do not feed. ### Where is Black Soldier Fly usually found? Urban areas ### How does Black Soldier Fly hunt? Scavenging ## Where to spot - [American Baptist College](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-baptist-college) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Desert Garden Conservatory](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/desert-garden-conservatory) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [East Wetumpka Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-wetumpka-commercial-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [South Bonnie Brae Tract Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-bonnie-brae-tract-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Dickerson Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dickerson-park-zoo) — Missouri, US · Zoo - [Santa Barbara Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/santa-barbara-zoo) — California, US · Zoo [View all places to see Black Soldier Fly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/black-soldier-fly) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Black Soldier Fly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-soldier-fly)