A cell line derived from the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

Authors: Saathoff, Stephen - Steve; Goodman, Cynthia; HAAS, ERIC - Creighton University; METTELMANN, IAN - Creighton University; Stanley, David

Submitted to: In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology - Animal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/13/2024
Publication Date: 6/27/2024
Citation: Saathoff, S.G., Goodman, C.L., Haas, E., Mettelmann, I., Stanley, D.W. 2024. A cell line derived from the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology - Animal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11626-024-00934-y.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11626-024-00934-y

Interpretive Summary: Insect cell lines are effective tools used in industry and academia. For specific examples, they are used in screening potential insecticides, in making certain proteins for biomedical applications and in basic research into insect biology. So far, there are no cell lines derived from the Black Soldier Fly (BSF). This may become an issue because BSFs are used in a range of industrial and household processes. BSFs are used in producing biodiesel because BSF fat is easier to convert into biodiesel than other source material. Some BSF fats are also used in developing cosmetics and skin creams. Fats from these flies are also used in some medicines because they reduce the growth of some bacterial species. BSFs are increasingly used in agricultural animal feeds. BSF larvae process waste streams from a variety of sources into food for some animals, including fish and chickens. The idea of using BSF to produce food for swine production has been tested; the results indicate this may become a common practice. Because BSFs can be used in household composting, and many such composting kits are available for purchase. The BSF cell line is available free of charge by request.

Technical Abstract: No abstract for this journal.