High larval densities and high temperatures lead to a stronger immune response in the black soldier fly

Organisms are expected to invest more in their immune function when the risk of disease infection is high. However, induction a robust response costly and may not be achievable suboptimal environments. High conspecific density could simultaneously imply high environment for many insect species. We focus on economically important dipteran species (black soldier fly, BSF) that represents order has been ignored previous research effects immunity. The experimental part study was carried out evaluate effect larval (three treatments: 1, 5 10 larvae/cm 2 ) temperature thermal 23, 27 30 °C) BSF larvae. larvae were reared at compared low densities higher than lower temperatures had significantly activity phenoloxidase, an enzyme plays essential role function. Sex did have significant phenoloxidase prepupal mass, pupal mass adult affected by levels fifth instar In addition, we give overview immunity show density-dependent prophylaxis (stronger environments) indeed common results published case studies. cases with no correlation between traits as frequent. Moreover, half studies, qualitatively different within-species patterns observed. conclude exhibit prophylaxis, into system they do temperatures.