Fruit flies part 1: Introduction to Drosophila

Fruit flies are an excellent food for many surface feeding killifish, closely resembling their natural diets in the wild. They are easy to culture, quickly, cheaply and in large numbers. Fruit flys are rarely available in pet shops, but are widely available online, and very much worth trying, even if you don't bother culturing them on an ongoing basis.

What is a fruit fly?

Fruit flies are small flies that live on and around decaying fruit and vegetation. They occur worldwide, except the very coldest regions. The species most familiar to scientists, aquarists and herpetologists are in the genus Drosophila which literally means 'dew-lover' in Greek. Also known as 'bar fly' or 'vinegar fly', these little flies are commonly found around waste bins, bars, orchards etc, and they are widely used in laboratories as research animals. The species we feed to our fish however, have been bred to have shorter 'vestigial' wings, and as such can not fly. These are typically from two species Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila Hydei.

Why fruit flies?

Although dealing with highly mobile flies can be trickier than with worms, there are some great reasons to consider culturing them.

• Nutritious - all fish can be trained to eat flies, but surface feeders love them. Not only are they relished by the fish, but they also have a high fibre content, and are therefore a great contrast to the fattier foods such as worms and beef heart. They are also typically disease-free, unlike some aquatic livefoods.
• Prolific An adult fly can lay 20+ eggs in a day. Once you get the hang of it, fruit flies are easy to maintain, and at 25 deg. centigrade the development of Drosophila melanogaster takes just 9 days.
• Availability - unlike collected livefoods, cultured Drosophila are available all year round.
• Flightless flies available - fruit flies have been studied in laboratories for very many years, and a lot is known about the humble fruit fly. Over the course of these studies, geneticists line-bred many strains of fly, including vestigial-winged, and even wingless flies. These are the flies typically cultured by hobbiests.

Drosophila larvae in a typical culture

Drosophila larvae climb up the walls of their vials and chrysalise

Drosophila pupae

Drosophila life cycle

Adult flies lay a lot of eggs. A single female can lay over 20 eggs in a day, and can store sperm within her body for up to two weeks, to lay fertilized eggs at will.

Eggs take 23 hours to hatch at 25 deg C. Once they do hatch, the larvae bury into the media and grow. They will stay as larvae for five days, in which time they undergo three moults.

Eventually they will start to climb the sides of the vial, and when fully grown will settle near the top, and form a chrysalis. The change from maggot to fly takes around three days, but again, is temperature dependent.

The image to the right shows a newly formed chrysalis with the lava's segments still visible (1), an older chrysalis with the fly clearly visible. The red dots are its eyes (2) and an empty chrysalis from which a fly will have hatched (3).

Once the flies have emerged they must be moved to new vials, as there is now no food suitable for them in the old vials.

Fruit fly cultures for sale

Flightless Fruit Fly Culture Live Dart Frog Food 32 oz & Zoo Med Calcium With D3

Middletown, Pennsylvania, 170**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$30

This live dart frog food by Crazy Frog L L.C. is the perfect addition to your pet reptile's diet. The 32 oz container of flightless fruit fly culture provides a sustainable food source for your beloved pet. Along with the food, this package also includes Zoo Med Calcium with D3, ensuring your reptile gets the necessary nutrients for healthy bone growth. A great choice for any reptile owner looking to provide their pet with quality nutrition
... more

Freshly Started Wingless Drosophila Melanogaster Fruit Fly Culture

Lyndhurst, New Jersey, 070**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$13

Melanogaster Fresh Fruit Fly Cultures and they are an ideal food for Poison Dart Frogs, fish, Praying Mantids, young frogs and toads, and other reptiles, amphibians, or captive animals that require small foods.... more

Fruit Fly Culture 4Pack Variety Live Flightless Turkish Gliders Golden and Hydei

Dover, Pennsylvania, 173**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$30

This Fruit Fly Culture 4Pack Variety is the perfect food for your pet reptiles. You'll receive live flightless fruit flies of different species, including Turkish Gliders, Golden, and Hydei. These fruit flies are bred by Crazy Frog Lady L L.C , a trusted brand in the pet supplies industry.
Use this variety pack to provide nutrition to your reptiles and keep them healthy. These live fruit flies are a great source of protein and are easy to digest. They also provide entertainment for your pets... more

Empty Fruit Fly 32oz Culture Cup w / Vent Lid ?? Reusable Feeder Insect Container

Xenia, Ohio, 453**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15

Fully Prepared Fruit Fly Culture ?? Media & Excelsior Included (No Flies)
This listing is for a fully prepared fruit fly culture that is ready for immediate use ?? just add flies
All culture media is freshly mixed and poured, and each container includes excelsior for proper surface area and airflow
This option is ideal for breeders who already have flies on hand, want to start fresh cultures, or need additional production containers without purchasing live insects
What??s ... more

"Golden" Drosophila Hydei (Flightless Fruit Fly Culture) - LIVE FEEDER INSECTS

Cleveland, Georgia, 305**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$40

??PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING??
(WHAT YOU RECEIVE)
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Name: "Golden" Drosophila hydei Fruit Flies
Sizes: Flies, Larva & Eggs
Count: 50+ (will produce prolifically)
Sex: M / F
WITH EXTREME TEMPS THERE WILL ONLY BE
LIVE ARRIVAL GUARANTEE WHEN UPGRADE TO
PRIORITY MAIL OR IN TEMPS BETWEEN 0 - 85F
COOL PACKS WILL BE ADDED IF NEEDED
(CULTURE ... more