Transgenerational dynamics of gut microbiota in black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) reared on a novel substrate

Abstract

Understanding the transgenerational dynamics of gut microbiota in black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) is essential for optimizing their performance on novel waste substrates in industrial settings. In this study, a wild-type BSF population was divided into six sub-lines and reared over four generations: one on standard chicken feed (CF), five on a novel diet (WIL), four of which were additionally subjected to directional selection for larval size. Despite their shared genetic origin, sub-lines exhibited divergent trajectories in larval weight and gut bacterial composition. Larval weight increased up to the second (G2) or third generation (G3) but declined sharply at generation four (G4) across all lines. Parent-offspring regressions indicated low narrow-sense heritability and minimal genetic contribution to larval weight. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that early developmental stages were most sensitive to generational shifts, with G3 to G4 transitions showing the strongest shifts in microbial communities. Notably, certain taxa such as Bacillus and Paenibacillus, involved in cellulose degradation, peaked in G2 to G3 but declined at G4, whereas Klebsiella, associated with immune modulation, became more abundant. These trends suggested a shift from growth-associated to digestion-oriented microbial strategies under prolonged dietary stress. However, the absence of universally beneficial taxa and the stochastic emergence of distinct microbial patterns across sub-lines highlighted the plastic and lineage-specific nature of the BSFL gut microbiota. This study emphasizes the critical need for maintaining large, genetically and microbially diverse populations in BSF breeding programs to support long-term stability and avoid performance decline when adapting to novel or suboptimal substrates. ImportanceThe black soldier fly is increasingly used worldwide to convert organic waste into high-value protein, but the long-term stability of its gut microbiota on novel diets remains poorly understood. This study examined transgenerational changes in larval gut microbial communities from a single genetic population reared on a novel diet, with and without selection for larval size. Despite a shared genetic origin, sub-lines developed distinct microbiota and growth patterns, with early developmental stages showing the greatest sensitivity to generational microbial shifts. Initial increases in certain bacterial groups were followed by community restructuring by the fourth generation, indicating a dynamic but unstable microbial response to prolonged dietary stress. These findings highlight the importance of preserving microbial and genetic diversity when breeding black soldier flies for industrial use. Understanding how microbiota respond to selection and diet across generations is essential for sustaining performance and ensuring resilience in large-scale black soldier fly production systems.