Abstract The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), is mass produced worldwide for use in waste management and the production of an alternative protein for use as feed. However, few publications have explored its adult behavior, particularly mating, as a means to optimize egg production in colony. In addition, there is limited knowledge of appropriate marking techniques to explore the mating behavior of this insect.The goal of this study was to validate water-based acrylic paint pens as a possible marking tool for behavioral studies with adult black soldier flies. Adult black soldier flies (<24-h old) were marked with green, gold, red, or white acrylic paint. Adult longevity, as well as the number of matings (mating success) were recorded for each treatment. Regardless of marking, 1) adult females lived ∼7 d, whereas males lived 9 d, 2) mating frequency peaked 2 d after initiation of the experiment, 3) approximately 30% of adults across treatments were recorded mating, and 4) egg production and hatch rate were not affected.This marking technique did not affect the parameters measured, suggesting that it is suitable for experiments requiring a reliable marking technique.

中文翻译：

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丙烯酸漆作为检查黑水虻交配成功的标记技术的验证（双翅目：Stratiomyidae）

摘要 黑水虻（Hermetia illucens (L.)）（双翅目：Stratiomyidae）在世界范围内大量生产，用于废物管理和生产用作饲料的替代蛋白质。然而，很少有出版物探讨其成虫行为，特别是交配，作为优化群体产卵的一种手段。此外，对于探索这种昆虫的交配行为的适当标记技术的知识有限。本研究的目的是验证水性丙烯酸漆笔作为成年黑水虻行为研究的可能标记工具。成年黑水虻（<24 小时）用绿色、金色、红色或白色丙烯酸涂料进行标记。记录每次处理的成虫寿命以及交配次数（交配成功）。不考虑标记，1) 成年雌性活 ∼ 7 d，