Killifish

Typical Drosophila vials
Typical Drosophila vials

Housing

Flies are typically kept in plastic or glass containers. I strongly recommend polypropylene plastic vials. Glass containers seem to suffer from condensation to a much greater extent. This can prevent the media from adhering to the vial (allowing it to slip when the vial is inverted), and prevent flies from climbing up the side of the vial.

Re-useability is something that we should all aim for, however fruit fly vials get SO 'glued-on' that it is often very messy and time consuming to clean them effectively, and fly keepers often use disposable cups. However, polypropylene plastic vials with straight sides really are the best choice. The media stays in place better, and if soaked and washed with a bottle brush, can be cleaned and reused easily. Conical flasks are just that bit harder to clean. Such containers are somewhat hard to source, but are available from scientific suppliers online.

Vials can be sealed with sponge (you can make your own - though they are somewhat difficult to cut perfectly; but again available online from scientific suppliers), these are good at keeping out mites, and very convenient. Less good options include: cotton wool (cheap, easy, but only good for vials with small openings. Not reuseable.), filter paper (can be damaged when wet) or netting (cheap, reuseable, can allow mites and interbreeding with wild flies). If you use netting, it is best to keep the flies in a cabinet to keep out other flies.

A funnel is critical when transferring flies
A funnel is critical when transferring flies

Handling fruit flies?

Under laboratory conditions flies need to be moved from container to container without any escape. This is performed by anaesthetising the flies with CO2 or ether. This renders them unconscious for a minute or two without damage. Even fully flighted flies can be easily managed in this way. If you have a cylinder of CO2 handy, perhaps for a planted aquarium, try inverting the vial, and introducing a gentle flow of CO2 by inserting a fine tube past the sponge topper. After just a few seconds the flies will fall unconscious. This is where the consistency of the media is essential. If your flies are kept over sloppy media, when it is inverted, media will slide down the side of the container, sticking to flies and potentially falling out. If you use the Sussex miedia (see fruit fly food recipes) it will stay exactly where it should! Tap the container a couple times, and all the sleeping flies will all fall out. No mess, just flies.

Luckily flightless flies are relatively easy to manipulate without CO2, as long as you work quickly. If you have difficulties, 5-8 minutes in a freezer greatly reduces their mobility. But work quickly, because they will wake up soon!

Always use funnels when moving flies from one vial to another. This will largely prevent escape, and allows a vial to be left 'unlidded' with flies still in it. If any do start to walk back up, a gentle tap soon sends them back to their food!



Fruit fly cultures for sale

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16 cups and fabric vented lids. Great for fruit fly cultures, plants, insects.

Gadsden, Alabama, 359**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$22

(16) 32ounce cups(16) vented lidsPerfect for fruit fly cultures.... more

24 cups and fabric vented lids. Great for fruit fly cultures, plants, insects.

Gadsden, Alabama, 359**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$28

Shipment includes:(24) 32 oz cups(24) vented lids... more

Raid FFTA-RAID Apple Fruit Fly Trap 1 Pack

Edmond, Oklahoma, 730**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$29

Raid FFTA-RAID Apple Fruit Fly Trap (1 Pack)
Raid FFTA-RAID Apple Fruit Fly Trap (1 Pack)
?? Attracts and kills fruit flies ;?? Nontoxic, food-based lure ;?? No insecticides ;?? Discreet design ;?? Safe to use around the kitchen;?? Lasts up to 30 days;?? 1 pack;
FREESHIPPING
2-7 Days
Ifan order is refused for any reason, willbe compensated for all shipping charges, including any C O.D. fees, as well asa fifteen percent (15%) restocking fee
... more

Melanogaster Fruit Flies 32oz FREE shipping

East Syracuse, New York, 130**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$16

For sale are 32oz cultures of Melanogaster fruit flies. These are fresh cultures with at least 100 flies! Each culture lasts 4-6weeks. Perfect for dart frogs, froglets, JUMPING SPIDERS, small chameleons, and baby reptiles. Fruit fly DIY kits are also available. Shipping is free!!! Any issues with order mist be received within 2 hrs of delivery. LIVE ARRIVAL GUARANTEE only for orders requested to be held for pickup. Please let us know immediately after your purchase of you would like to have the ... more

Flightless Fruit Fly Culture (Drosophila Melanogaster) FREE SHIPPING

San Juan, Puerto Rico, 009**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$40

Drosophila melanogaster Flightless fruit flies culture in a 32oz cup
Culture is made at the time of purchase to ensure freshness
We ship on Monday through Wednesday. Any order received from late Tuesday??through Sunday??will be ship on the following Monday
... more