Fiche publication

Black soldier fly larva (BSFL, Hermetia illucens) has gained attention for its industrial uses as biowaste recycler and as animal protein source. Understanding the host-microbiome dynamics in BSFL is essential for industrial rearing optimisation, as microorganisms have shown to significantly impact their host ontology. This study endeavors to clarify the role of the microbiota in BSFL development by comparing the genomic expression profile of larvae reared in axenic (i.e., absence of microorganisms) and conventional conditions by RNA-Seq transcriptomics. We found 2,473 differentially expressed transcripts (adjusted p<0.01, log2 fold change>1) between conventional and axenic larvae at day 4, 12 and 20 post-hatching (n=6). Condition and time were found to be the two main factors explaining difference in expression abundance. Pathway enrichment analysis with KEGG database revealed changes in aging, lipid metabolism, xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, cell growth and death as well as transport and catabolism pathways in axenic larvae.