A black soldier fly is a small, jet-black insect with a pair of sturdy antennae. They are similar in appearance to wasps, though their wings are tucked back. A black soldier fly is a member of the family of flies, a large order with over 120,000 species around the world. They serve as scavengers and pollinators, and they help keep plants and animals healthy by being part of the food chain.
The name black soldier fly was coined by American biologist and naturalist Richard D. Levine to describe the insect’s life cycle and feeding habits. Black soldier flies have been around for over 2,000 years, and are used for waste disposal and exotic animal feeds. The larvae of the black soldier fly have a high protein content and a fast growth rate, and they are known to feed on human waste and dead and decaying materials.