Fruit Fly Support

Welcome! You've taken the first step in providing nutritious live prey for your pets. This guide will help you care for your Drosophila melanogaster or Drosophila hydei fruit fly culture, whether it's freshly started or already producing.
Quick Reference Glossary
Drosophila melanogaster
A common species of fruit fly used in genetic research and cultured here for live prey.
Drosophila hydei
A larger species of fruit fly that serves as an alternative in many live-prey cultures.
Fruit Fly Culture
A controlled environment (usually in a small container) used to cultivate fruit flies.
Culture Medium
The specially formulated food source that supports the growth and reproduction of the fruit flies.
Fresh Culture
A newly started culture that will begin producing adult flies within days to weeks.
Producing Culture
A culture that is already producing adult flies and ready for immediate use.
Moisture Retention Label
A label applied to the lid of fresh cultures to help maintain proper humidity levels by reducing moisture loss.
Larvae
The immature, maggot-like stage in fruit fly development following the egg phase.
Pupae
The life stage between larva and adult in a fruit fly’s development, similar to a cocoon stage.
Maturation Date
On the product label. This is the range of dates by which the culture should produce its first generation of flies if kept at the correct temperature.
Replace By Date
On the product label. This is the range of dates by which the culture will typically exhaust its resources and should be discarded and replaced.
Excelsior
Shaved strands or "wool" made from aspen wood.
What is a Fruit Fly Culture?
A fruit fly culture is a controlled environment, typically in a small container, designed to grow and maintain a population of fruit flies, such as Drosophila melanogaster. These cultures provide the necessary food source (called a culture medium), moisture, and space for fruit flies to thrive, lay eggs, and reproduce. The culture includes specific conditions that support the life cycle of the flies: from eggs to larvae (maggots), pupae (a type of cocoon), and finally, adult flies.
In a broader sense, a culture refers to a system or medium in which organisms are cultivated for research, commercial use, or other purposes.
Understanding Your Culture
Culture Type | Description |
---|---|
Fresh Culture | Recently started; will begin producing flies in a couple days or weeks, depending on temperature. |
Producing Culture | Already producing fruit flies; ready for immediate use. |
When you purchase a Fresh Culture from us, it will typically be less than one week old and should arrive with at least several dozen adult flies. Place the culture in a dark place and allow these starter flies at least 3 to 5 days to lay their eggs before opening the culture or removing any of the flies. Remember, a culture will only produce flies if some adults remain in it to continue breeding!
When you purchase a Producing Culture from us, it will typically be 11 to 18 days old (for D. melanogaster), and will have hundreds of pupae ready to emerge into adults within a few days of delivery.
If there is a problem:
If your culture does not contain any signs of live flies upon arrival, or if it is damaged or has some other issue, don't hesitate to contact our Customer Care Team!
We can be reached by phone at (844) 738-2687 or by email at support@byformica.com. For fastest service, include your Name, Order Date, Order Number, and a photo of the culture clearly showing the product label and we will guide you through getting a free replacement.
Care Instructions
Optimal Storage Conditions
-
Temperature: Maintain between 70–80°F (21–27°C).
Caution! D. hydei may develop the ability to fly if kept in temperatures above 78°F (26°C). Store these at the lower temperature range to prevent flight. Do not place on or near heating or cooling elements such as terrarium lights, space heaters, or air vents. - Humidity: Keep humidity levels between 60–80%.
- Environment: Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
- Ventilation: We apply a Moisture Retention Label to the lid on our fresh cultures to lock-in moisture and prevent the culture medium from drying out. Do not remove this label until the culture is ready to be used, as noted by the "Maturation Date" on the product label. After this date, remove the label to ensure proper ventilation and to avoid excess moisture buildup. Do not place objects on or otherwise block the ventilated lid, as this will cause a buildup of condensation and could lead to suffocation or damage to the lid.
Development Timeline & Special Characteristics
Species | Morphology | Time to First Flies (Fresh Culture) |
Productive Lifespan |
---|---|---|---|
D. melanogaster | Wingless | 7–14 days | 3–5 weeks |
D. hydei | Flightless | 14–21 days | 6–8 weeks |
Note on development times: The amount of time it takes for fresh cultures to produce their first generation of flies is highly dependent on temperature. Temperatures near the upper end of the acceptable range will accelerate growth. If you find that your culture is developing too quickly, store it in a slightly cooler location.
Feeding Your Pets
- Gently tap the top of the culture to encourage flies to move downward.
- Carefully remove the lid.
- (Optional) Recommended for reptiles and amphibians: Transfer some flies to a separate container (such as a small, plastic bin) and dust with a calcium or multivitamin supplement.
- Tilt open end downward while rotating container to dispense flies into your pet's enclosure or feeding dish.
Maintaining Culture Health
- Minimize Disturbance: Handle the culture gently, away from other pets or small children.
- Prevent Contamination: Keep the lid closed when not in use to prevent escapes and to restrict wild fruit flies or other insects from establishing in the culture.
- Monitor for Condensation: If the culture experiences quick changes in temperature, condensation can develop on the walls which can drown pupae and adult flies.
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Monitor for Dryness: As of February, 2025, we have started applying special "Moisture Retention Labels" to block some of the ventilation holes on the lid, which maintain the perfect humidity levels in the culture for the first few weeks of development. If you have accidentally removed this label before the first generation of flies has developed, or if your culture is being stored in conditions that are unusually warm and dry, you may need to monitor it for dryness.
Maintaining adequate humidity is crucial for fruit fly development. If the humidity around the culture drops below about 40%, the food medium at the bottom of the container may dry out, becoming darker in color on top and developing cracks. This is more common in "Fresh" cultures. Dryness can inhibit egg and larval development. To correct a dry culture, simply remove the lid and add 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of water and normal development should continue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn't my fresh culture producing flies yet?
Fresh cultures need time to develop. Refer to the development timeline above for your species.
What is the green stuff in my culture media?
Starting in February, 2025, we have upgraded our MaxYield™ product lines to include our new NutriDense Superfood Blend™. This specially formulated topper is loaded with organic fruits, vegetables, and whole foods to provide additional nutrients for the first generation of flies, resulting in lower mortality and accelerated growth rates. Your pets will appreciate the added nutrition, as well!
How do I start a new culture?
Transfer some adult flies from your current culture into a new container with fresh media. We do not currently sell supplies for starting new cultures at home, but you can find different types of suitable supplies on Amazon.com.
Why are mites in my culture?
Fruit fly cultures sometimes have naturally occurring grain mites which are non-parasitic and feed on decaying organic matter. These mites typically appear after a few weeks and are a sign that the culture is near the end-of-life. While we do have an established protocol for detecting and preventing the spread of these mites, due to the use of natural materials like aspen wood wool (Excelsior) in some of our cultures, we cannot guarantee our cultures are mite-free.
What if my culture gets too hot or cold?
Extreme temperatures can harm the culture. Try to maintain the recommended temperature range for optimal production.
Need Further Assistance?
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Customer Care Team by phone at (844) 738-2687 or by email at support@byformica.com. For fastest service, include your Name, Order Date, Order Number, and a photo of the culture clearly showing the product label and we will guide you through getting a free replacement.