A cell line derived from the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae).

Insect cell lines are effective tools used in industry and academia. For example, they are used in screening potential insecticides, in making certain proteins for biomedical applications, and in basic research into insect biology. So far, there are no cell lines derived from the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (BSF). This may become an issue because BSFs are employed in a range of industrial and household processes. BSFs are used in producing biodiesel, in developing cosmetics and skin creams, and in the production of some medicines and animal feeds. BSF larvae process waste streams from a variety of sources into food for some animals and are also used in household composting. Our BSF cell line, designated BCIRL-HiE0122021-SGS, was developed from eggs using the medium CLG#2 (50% L-15 + 50% EX-CELL 420, with 9% FBS and antibiotics), with many other media being tested. This cell line consists of attached cells with a variety of morphologies and its identity was authenticated using CO1 barcoding. A growth curve was generated and the resulting doubling time was 118 h. We quantified the fatty acid methyl esters (FAMES) and recorded the expected range of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FAMEs, with only trace levels of lauric acid being noted. The BSF cell line is available free of charge by request.

Characterization of cell lines derived from the southern armyworm, Spodoptera eridania.

Spodoptera eridania (southern armyworm) is a polyphagous pest of many plants, including field crops, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals. Larvae are leaf feeders, defoliating many crops in the tropics and subtropics of the western hemisphere. In this study, cell lines from S. eridania were established to support research focused on the development of advanced pest management technologies. We generated seven cell lines from larval tissues: three from nervous tissues, two from testes, and two from fat bodies. These cell lines have been passaged 18-57 times, indicating they are established lines. They are maintained in EX-CELL 420 or a combination of L15 + EX-CELL 420 media. The identities of the cell lines were confirmed by DAF-PCR and their doubling times ranged from 42 to 110 h. Microscopy indicated the presence of one or more morphologically distinct cell types in each cell line. We identified a catalase gene in all seven cell lines. H2O2 treatment suppressed the expression of catalase and led to a reduction in catalase activity. This is the first report of cell lines established from S. eridania, and these cell lines are now available to researchers worldwide on request.