Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens Linnaeus) As Feed for the American Alligator (Alligator Mississippiensis Daudin) (Report‪)‬

ABSTRACT Larvae of Hermetia illucens Linnaeus (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), the Black Soldier Fly (BSF), or one of two commercial feeds were offered to three randomized groups of hatchling American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis Daudin) (Crocodylia: Alligatoridae) for three months and their growth monitored. Statistical analysis of weight (g) (Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis Test) and snout-vent length (cm) (Welch ANOVA F-test) increases were significantly greater in groups of alligators fed 56% protein/11% fat or 45% protein/8% fat commercial feeds versus alligators fed BSF. Based on these results, BSF can not be recommended as a complete replacement for commercial feeds in young alligators.