Small BSFL | ¼”

Small Black Soldier Fly Larvae for Sale

Black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens, are a naturally calcium-rich feeder, sometimes sold as calcium worms. They are high in protein and calcium with a soft body, so animals eat and digest them easily. Unlike most feeders, you do not need to dust them with calcium. This is the small ¼” size, which suits smaller and younger animals. As a result, they make a convenient, nutritious part of the diet.

A Naturally Calcium-Rich Feeder

Most feeder insects are low in calcium, which is why keepers dust them. Black soldier fly larvae are different, since they carry calcium themselves. So they support bone health and are a useful feeder for animals at risk of Metabolic Bone Disease, a condition tied to low calcium and low UVB.

That said, treat them as part of a balanced approach, not a cure. Some research suggests not all of their calcium is fully absorbed, so pair them with a varied diet and proper UVB rather than relying on them alone.

Easy to Store

These larvae keep with little effort. Store them cool, around 55°F, where they stay dormant for up to a month and need no feeding. Check your refrigerator or wine cooler with a thermometer first, since too cold can harm them. This makes them far simpler to hold than a live culture.

Choosing a Size

This is the small ¼” size, best for smaller animals and juveniles. For larger animals, step up to the medium ½” or large ¾” larvae. Match the feeder to the width of your animal’s mouth for safe feeding.

Feeding

Offer the larvae as a regular part of a varied diet. Because they are also high in fat, balance them with leaner feeders rather than feeding them alone. Their soft body suits young animals well. You can dust them if you like, though you do not need to for calcium.

Best For

• Juvenile and small reptiles, birds, and amphibians.
• Keepers who want a calcium-rich feeder without dusting.
• Keepers who want a feeder that stores easily for weeks.
• Animals that do better with a soft-bodied feeder.

Not Best For

• Larger animals, which suit the medium or large size.
• Use as the only feeder, since a varied diet works better.
• Keepers expecting them to replace UVB or good husbandry.

Recommended Add-Ons

• Medium BSFL for larger animals or growing juveniles.
• Large BSFL for the biggest eaters.
• Wingless Melanogaster for variety with very small animals.
• TC Calcium Ultra Fine to dust your other, lower-calcium feeders.
• 32oz Deli Cup to hold and portion the larvae.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are black soldier fly larvae?

They are the larvae of Hermetia illucens, a naturally calcium-rich, soft-bodied feeder. Keepers also sell them as calcium worms.

Do I need to dust them with calcium?

No. Unlike most feeders, they are naturally calcium-rich, so you do not need to dust them. A varied diet and proper UVB still matter.

Can they prevent MBD?

They support calcium intake and bone health as part of a varied diet with proper UVB. They are not a standalone cure, and some research questions how fully their calcium is absorbed.

How do I store them?

Keep them cool, around 55°F, where they stay dormant for up to a month with no feeding. Check the temperature with a thermometer.

What size should I get?

This small ¼” size suits smaller animals and juveniles. Step up to the medium or large size for bigger animals.

What animals eat them?

Reptiles, birds, amphibians, and other insectivores all take them. Match the size to the animal.

Learn More About Black Soldier Fly Larvae

These sources cover the nutrition of black soldier fly larvae as a feeder.

• LSU: Assessing the Nutritional Value of BSFL for Reptile Foods. A university thesis on BSFL as a reptile feeder, including how their calcium is digested.
• NCBI: BSFL Body Composition. A study showing BSFL are high in protein and fat, and that their nutrition depends on what they are raised on.
• NCBI: BSFL Fat and Fatty Acid Composition. Research on how diet changes the fat content of the larvae, which supports balancing them with leaner feeders.