Ready-to-use fly neonate larvae with extended shelf-life and methods of producing same

A method for delaying maturation of Hermetia illucens comprising:

• inducing a suspended animation state of a prolonged first/second instar larval stage of in Hermetia illucens (Black soldier fly) neonate larva, comprising placing one or more Hermetia illucens egg and/or neonate larva on a feed composition inducing a suspended animation state of a prolonged first/second instar larval stage for 7-14 days, wherein the feed composition comprises at least one insect-larva compatible preservative selected from the group consisting of a food-grade or cosmetic grade paraben, propionic acid, and a combination thereof and at least one gelling agent, wherein said feed composition is in a semi-solid or solid gel form comprising at least 35% w/w aqueous solution based on the wet weight of the feed composition, thereby inducing the suspended animation state of a prolonged first/second instar larval stage for 7-14 days in the Hermetia illucens neonate larva;
• and
• transferring the neonate larva from the feed composition inducing suspended animation state to a common rearing feed without a paraben or propionic acid and comprising at least 18% protein w/w based on the dry weight of the feed composition, whereby the neonate larva develops normally throughout the remaining larval stages.