Fruit flies part 4: Regime to maximise fly production

Typical Drosophila vials. Keeping flies over damp paper in a dedicated cabinet helps maintain humidity, and prevents contamination from wild flies.

Why a regime?

Looking after Drosophila is quite easy when you get the hang of it. When cultures crash it's usually because they were left unattended for too long. The life span (just like the development time) is temperature dependent, and does not much exceed 2 weeks as a fly. It is critical to follow a careful regime to allow maximum production. This can take a few minutes each week and that's it. HOWEVER, miss a week and your yield will be drop, miss 2 and you may well loose your cultures! If flies are left too long over old media, they will also starve, and provide a poor snack for the fish. If you can not attend to the flies, its best to keep them cool, slowing down their life cycle (20 deg C) until you can tend to them again.

In general flies should be kept at around 25-28 degrees C. This provides a quick turnover of flies for feeding and allows a weekly regime to be followed. They also like a relatively high humidity; If yours are not kept in a humid room, consider keeping the vials in half a centimeter of water.

So how does the regime work?

The vials that the flies inhabit are separated into 3 categories:

1. The present generation of adult flies - laying eggs for future generations (3-4 vials - top shelf of picture)
2. Vials containing chrysalised larvae, and newly emerged flies. (10-20 vials - middle shelf of picture)
3. Flies or larvae for feeding fish (3-4 vials - bottom shelf of picture).

Once per week newly emerged flies are collected from 2. These are placed in fresh vials, and are designated 1, the present generation. After 3-4 days these flies are moved again, onto new media 3. The old vials (which are loaded with eggs or very young larvae) go back in 2, to make future generations. Once the week has passed, the flies making the present generation can be fed to your fish, and their vials may either go back into 2, or be left for a few days to provide larvae for feeding (see part 5 - feeding fish). Of course a new generation of adult flies is again collected from 2 at the same time.

In hot weather, and if things are going well, you will soon have a lot of flies. On the other hand, you may struggle to breed enough to satisfy your fish. But always avoid feeding newly emerged flies to your fish, even if you have no shortage of flies 'coming through'. Newly collected flies may well be hungry. It's always a good idea to place them over fresh media with added brewers yeast for 24 hours before feeding them to fish, ensuring they are plump and healthy before feeding to your killies.

There are many advantages of keeping to a strict regime such as this:

• Each vial will contain only flies/larvae of approximately the same age, resulting in eclosion (hatching of the adult fly) over a relatively short period. This reduces the time you have to hang onto older vials-making fly collection easier and lessening the chances of mold.
• The longer flies are kept on the same media, the more runny it becomes- if the flies are collected after a 3-4 days, it will still be quite solid. Runny media can drown flies, stick them down and goes everywhere when the jar is inverted.
• All flies will have reached sexual maturity and have reproduced before being fed.

Fruit fly cultures for sale

Flightless Fruit Fly Cultures 2 Pack+ 2 Pack of Wingless Total of 4 CULTURES.

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

$35

This 2 pack of Flightless Fruit Fly cultures + 2 Pack of Wingless is the perfect addition to any reptile or dart frog owner's collection. These cultures provide a nutritious and tasty food source for your pets without the hassle of dealing with live insects. The flies are easy to maintain and will last for several weeks, ensuring that your pets are well-fed and healthy.
With free shipping included, this is a great deal that you don't want to miss out on. Whether you're a seasoned reptile ... more

Josh's Frogs Fruit Fly Media - Hydei Formula, 1 5lbs - Lightly Used

Knoxville, Tennessee, 379**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10

Hydei Formula Fruit Fly Media from Josh's Frogs. Originally a 1 5lb bag, I made one culture from it. The bag now weighs 1 46 lbs
The formula was originally purchased in 2024. I have stored it, sealed, in a cool, dry placed since it's first use. The product has not clumped or become solid. I believe it is still good for use
ORIGINAL PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:Josh's Frogs Hydei Fruit Fly Media is the best in the industry! Since 2004 we've produced over 80 TONS of fruit fly media! Each bag of ... more

Biology Genetics Drosophila Fruit Fly Spoonflower Fabric by the Yard

Durham, NC, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$22

... more

HEAT PACK Made to order-GOLDEN hydei 32oz Fruit Fly Culture- read description

Vienna, Georgia, 310**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10

Due to winter months and cold temps, live arrival is voided without purchase of a heat pack! please be aware of this when purchasing. Live arrival voided during extreme temps. HEAT PACK OPTION AVAILABLE IF YOUR TEMPS WILL BE HIGH
Will have excelsior for surface area
DISCLAIMER: as we enter winter temps, there is a risk that cultures will not arrive alive or producing, because of this I have included a heat pack option. I will also be shipping priority VS first class so prices have ... more

Made to order- Completely Wingless melanogaster 32oz Fruit Fly Culture

Vienna, Georgia, 310**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$16

Live arrival voided during extreme temps above 95 degrees ICE PACK OPTION AVAILABLE IF YOUR TEMPS WILL BE HIGH
Will have excelsior for surface area
DISCLAIMER: as we enter summer temps, there is a risk that cultures will not arrive alive or producing, because of this I have included a ice pack option.
wingless melanogaster 32oz Fruit Fly Culture .
Made to order, so it will take a few weeks for see larvae!(2-3 weeks for hydeis) Please order accordingly! Due to summer season, live ... more