Weissguy, a member of the BioPod forum posted a photo of BSF larvae from their compost pile in Champagne, Illinois. It's also a well known fact that BSF are found in Vancouver, B.C. so I wouldn't be surprised if BSF are in MO. IIRC Bruce thinks he may have seen a BSF adult in his area (Lincoln NB?) also.
You don't necessarily need to have a wild population to succeed in culturing BSF but it makes it much easier. I think the simplest way to test for wild BSF is to start a traditional compost pile making sure to regularly add fruit and vegetable waste and also coffee grounds if you have them. This is the most common way that people discover BSF larvae. If you know people who compost I would ask them if they've seen large larvae in their compost piles.
If BSF are in your area already it's easier to raise them than it is to manage a pond. By a long shot.
