Method and apparatus for breeding flying insects
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for breeding flying insects, more particularly flies, and still more particularly black soldier flies. An apparatus for the production and collection of flying insect eggs comprising: a vessel for containing a substrate upon which larvae and/or pupae develop into flying insects, a cage for retaining the insects, a tubular passage or duct connecting the vessel to the cage through which the flies travel from the vessel to the cage, a moist substrate within the cage upon which the insects will lay eggs, and a light source within or proximate the cage for providing light of a wavelength that enhances the tendency of the insects in the cage to mate.
1. An apparatus for the production and collection of flying insect eggs comprising:
an opaque vessel filled with a mixture of insect pupae and a substrate where insect pupae develop into flies,
a cage for retaining the insects,
a tubular passage between the vessel and the cage to cause the insects to travel into the cage,
a moist substrate in the cage upon which the insects lay eggs, and
a light source within or proximate the cage for providing light of a wavelength that elicits or enhances the tendency of the insects in the cage to mate,
a source of forced air directed into the vessel and from the vessel into the passage, and
wherein the apparatus includes a supply of water that dispenses water onto the substrate.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the moist substrate is a sponge.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cage includes a floor that is vibrated.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the floor is vibrated by a transducer.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the transducer is an audio speaker.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source is a quartz halogen lamp.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the halogen is bromine.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 additionally including a light sensor which is electronically connected to the light source such that the light source is activated when conditions in the cage require it.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cage includes a floor, the floor is sloped or parabolic and has an aperture therein and the aperture is fitted with a container for collecting eggs and/or dead insects.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substrate is perlite or vermiculite.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tubular passage is transparent or translucent.
12. A method for producing flying insect eggs which comprises
providing an opaque vessel filled with a mixture of insect pupae and a substrate where insect pupae develop into flies,
forcing air through a transparent or translucent tubular passage between the vessel and a cage to cause the insects to travel from the vessel and into the cage,
placing a moist substrate in the cage upon which the insects lay eggs,
removing the insect eggs and dead insects from the cage, and
wherein the insects are black soldier flies.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the method includes activating a light source to enhance the tendency for the insects to mate in the cage.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the substrate is perlite or vermiculite.