In a study that examined the potential of black soldier flies as a source for antibiotic compounds, researchers led by Daniela Alvarez at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia injected black soldier fly larvae with Escherichia coli bacteria to induce an immune response. They then collected and isolated small amino acid chains called peptides from the larvae and tested them for their antibiotic properties. Four peptides were found to have inhibitory effects on the bacteria Helicobacter pylori. (Photo courtesy of Institut de Recherche pour le Développement at the Université Paul Sabatier)