FRUIT-FLIES

We are offering 32-ounce cultures of flightless Drosophila for sale.  We are offering both Drosophila hydei (larger) and Drosophila melanogaster (smaller) fruit fly cultures.  All cultures are established, 1-3 weeks old, with at least 50 adult flies and hundreds of developing larvae.  Each adult female Drosophila can lay up to 500 eggs in 10 days, thus each culture has the potential to produce thousands of flies!  Each culture contains high-quality culture media for optimal fruit fly production and nutrients for the frogs.  All cultures are packed with natural excelsior moss, thus increasing the culture's surface area for maximum larva survival and puparium development. 

Cultures are $8 each with your frog purchase or sold separately for $10 each.  Quantity discounts are as follows:

1-4 cultures $10 each,

4-8 cultures $9 each,

8+ cultures (OR frog purchase) $8 each.

	D. hydei   This is a large fruit fly, 1/8th of an inch in size.  It has a life cycle of 4 weeks at 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  Ideal food for sub-adult and adult dart-frogs!
	D. melanogaster   This is a smaller fruit fly that grows to 1/16th of an inch in size.   A fresh culture will start to produce adult flies in 2 weeks at 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  Ideal food for juvenile dart-frogs and thumbnail species!

*USDA APHIS APPROVED

Culturing You Own Fruit Flies

For each new culture you will need the following materials:

• A 32 oz. tall, sterile, polypropylene deli container,
• Matching lid with a 2-inch square opening in the center for ventilation (cut with straight-razor),
• 7-inch square of lightweight fabric, woven or knit piece of polyester or nylon for the top (I have used paper disposable coffee filters and nylon stockings in the past as well),
• 4-inch length clump of natural excelsior moss ( Excelsior moss is available in 1 and 2 liter bags and sells for $1.49 and $2.95 respectively at craft stores such as Joanne’s and Michael’s. Each liter will provide enough moss to fill approximately 6-8 containers.)
• ⅓ cup of commercially-prepared fruit fly media ( I recommend Ed's Fly Meat, Inc. and Carolina Biological),
• ½ cup warm, de-chlorinated water,
• pinch (10-15 granules) of baker’s yeast (store yeast in refrigerator to keep active), and
• approximately 50 adult fruit flies.

For each container, follow these instructions:

• Put ⅓ cup of fruit fly media into the plastic container or glass mason jar. 
• Add ½ cup of warm, filtered or de-chlorinated water (the ratio of media to water may vary slightly depending on ambient temperature and humidity).
• Ensure that the water is evenly absorbed by the media.
• When the mixture has thickened and the water is completely absorbed (1-3 minutes), sprinkle a pinch (10-15 granules) of baker’s yeast on top of media.
• Loosely pack the container with excelsior moss.
• Insert a large funnel (7-inch diameter) into the container so that the bottom of the funnel tube rests on top of the media.
• Tap the bottom of the container of adult fruit flies on your hand or work surface in order to prevent their escape while removing lid.  While circularly turning the container and keeping it at a 45 degree vertical angle, transfer approximately 50 adults into the container using the funnel. Then while continually tapping both containers on the work surface to keep flies from escaping, replace the fabric piece and plastic fitted lid on the adult container and cover the new container with the fabric and lid. Make certain both lids are tight.
• Label the container with the date and fly species/size.
• Depending on size of flies and temperature of room, larvae development will occur in about 1-2 weeks.  Adults can be harvested within 2-4 weeks after culture date, depending on temperature and species.
• Keep cultures in a clean location and not exposed to direct sunlight, ideally keep at temperatures between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit.  Higher temperatures shorten the flies life cycle but lead to mutations, bacterial and fungal growth and mite infestation.  Temperatures over 85 degrees Fahrenheit may lead to sterility of adult flies.  Low temperatures slow development of the flies.