Releasing BSFLs

[MikeMikeSierra]

My BioPod is slowly building up a head of steam. I have a decent little colony going, and am now finding 20-30 mature BSFLs in the collection bucket every morning.  I want to ensure that as many of those BSFLs go on to become BSFs as possible and continue to re-populate my BioPod.  My question is, what is the best way to release the BSFLs?  I have a couple of small shrubs near [+/- 4 feet] my BioPod, I have been putting the BSFLs in there in the hopes that the shrubs provide a little shelter until they pupate.  Is this a good strategy?  Should I be doing something else to ensure a robust population? 

Thanks everyone! 

[Andrew]

Source: http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/the_biopod/bsf-multi-stage-starter-kit/

"If you scatter the collected mature grubs on the ground near your BioPod that leaves them vulnerable to the many predators that target insects. It’s fair to assume that only a small percentage of released grubs will survive to become adults. It’s best to keep the mature grubs in a container such as a bucket with a lid to protect them. The container needs to have several holes with a diameter of at least 3/4  inch to allow the emerging adults a way to escape. The holes will also provide necessary air for the pupating BSF and also aid in keeping the temperature regulated. Like the BioPod, the prepupae container must be completely shaded and protected from rain. Adding an inch of bedding material such as sawdust (not pressure treated), peat, etc to the container will encourage the grubs to pupate, but it must stay dry and loose so the emerging adults can climb to the surface."

Since I'm not sure how dense my local BSF population is, I'm housing the mature pupae in a protected container. My guess is they'll hole up for the winter and emerge in the Spring, but that depends on your location. Folks in S. Florida probably continue getting eggs until Christmas. If you're in one of those climates, then the "throw em under the bush" method sounds like it would work.

[GW]

Thanks for pasting that Andrew. 

I say that every grub is precious up to the point where your colony reaches it's potential in terms of size for whatever container you're using. Until then I wouldn't use any of the grubs to feed other animals or scatter any on the ground. Once you have a reproducing population then you can begin scattering and feeding most of the maturing grubs. One exception might be if you've established a micro-population in an area that lacks a native population. In that case you might need to be more conservative with how many grubs you sacrifice.

[Ambanja]

Would it work well to just place that protected container of mature grubs inside the BioPod? 

[GW]

Hi Ambanja,

I missed your post until just now.

No, I don't think it would work well under most circumstances. The surface of the waste pile in a BioPod should be kept open unless you're insulating for winter bio-composting. Anything that sets on the surface will hold in heat and in warm weather it could cause overheating. Also, I've found that most things you place on the surface will sink because of the grubs constant churning action.