Abdel-Haleem_2026_J.Econ.Entomol__

Black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae decompose several organic wastes into valuable biomass (oil, protein, chitin, and frass) for promising applications. Black Soldier Fly Oil (BSFO) is extracted using a mechanical pressing method, an affordable technique that yields about 24.56% oil. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of oil showed a high content of fatty acids, with 3 predominant fatty acids, oleic acid (40.14%), palmitic acid (24.53%), and lauric acid (10.00%). Black soldier fly oil nanoemulsion (BSFO-NE) exhibited a droplet size of 274.50 +/- 7.42 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.29 +/- 0.01, a zeta potential of -26.70 +/- 1.07 mV, and a spherical droplet morphology of 90.00 +/- 10.00 nm, as shown by transmission electron microscopy. The insecticidal activity of BSFO and BSFO-NE was evaluated against the fourth instar of Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel, 1766) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using the leaf-dipping method, and they showed LC50 of 5.40% and 0.94% (v/v), 48 h post-treatment, respectively. BSFO and BSFO-NE caused severe developmental and morphological alterations. Moreover, they significantly reduced total protein and lipid contents, total antioxidant capacity, and the enzymatic activity of lipase in treated fourth instar A. ipsilon compared to the control (P < 0.05). They significantly stimulated acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and alpha-esterase activities relative to untreated (P < 0.05). BSFO-NE induced extensive midgut tissue damage and histolysis. The mode of action was interpreted by molecular docking. This study sheds light on the possible use of BSFO and BSFO-NE as a circular economy approach and sustainable, high-yield insect-derived biopesticides to be integrated into pest management programs.