New publication: Klammsteiner et al. (2026) Microb Ecol, in press

In this study, we investigated how microbial communities shape the development and reproduction of the black soldier fly (BSF). By analysing microbiota across developmental stages, from larvae to eggs, we found a clear shift from Enterobacteriaceae-dominated larval communities to Burkholderiaceae-rich egg microbiota. These findings shed light on how microbes influence egg-laying behaviour and development, offering new opportunities to optimize BSF rearing strategies and enhance large-scale production efficiency.

References

2026

Stage-specific microbiota transitions throughout black soldier fly ontogeny

Thomas Klammsteiner, Carina D. Heussler, Katharina T. Stonig, Heribert Insam, Birgit C. Schlick-Steiner, and Florian M. Steiner

Microbial Ecology, Jan 2026

Abstract doi Bib PDF

The growing global population increases the demand for protein, while organic waste management has become more challenging. Alternative protein sources are essential to mitigate the environmental impact of food production. The black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens) has emerged as an alternative to traditional protein sources (e.g., soybean meal, fishmeal) due to its ability to convert diverse organic waste, addressing both issues simultaneously. This makes the BSF a promising candidate for industrial rearing, with its successful development closely tied to microbial influences on growth and behaviour, particularly bacterial influences on oviposition. In this study, we focus on the microbiota throughout insect development with a special focus on egg surface microbiota and their origin. We analysed the microbiota in the haemolymph and gut of larvae raised on sterilized and non-sterilized feed, pupal cell pulp, the wash of the ovipositor, eggs directly collected after oviposition, ovarian eggs, the empty female abdomen, eggs exposed to adult BSF, and surface-sterilized eggs. Our analysis revealed distinct bacterial community profiles across life stages, indicating a transition from larval dominance of Enterobacteriaceae to Burkholderiaceae on all analysed eggs. At the genus level, larval stages were characterized by Morganella, Escherichia, and Proteus, transitioning to less diverse communities in egg samples predominated by Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia. Our study reveals that while predominant microbiota persist throughout all life stages, microbial community composition transforms progressively during maturation, particularly before oviposition. Understanding egg surface microbiota and the cues guiding oviposition has the potential to boost egg production and simplify mass harvesting of BSF larvae.
@article{klammsteiner_microbecol_2026, title = {Stage-specific microbiota transitions throughout black soldier fly ontogeny}, copyright = {All rights reserved}, issn = {}, shorttitle = {}, url = {}, doi = {10.1007/s00248-025-02691-1}, urldate = {}, journal = {Microbial Ecology}, author = {Klammsteiner, Thomas and Heussler, Carina D. and Stonig, Katharina T. and Insam, Heribert and Schlick-Steiner, Birgit C. and Steiner, Florian M.}, month = jan, volume = {}, number = {}, year = {2026}, keywords = {attractants, interkingdom communication, circular economy, insect farming, microbial colonization, insect immunity}, pages = {ieaf095}, dimensions = true, }