How important is it to culture so that you 'gut load' fruit flies?

[earthfrog]

Let us know how important it is to culture with natural ingredients, man-made additives or high-yield, low-nutrient recipes. Share your fruit fly culture recipes with us if you've got a 'winner'!

[earthfrog]

Mine is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants nonetheless---and all without the controversial methylparaben...

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, bring to a low boil two ripe organic bananas, 1/8 cup organic molasses, 1 can concentrate grape juice, 3 cups instant potato flakes, 4 cups water, 1 cup apple cider vinegar. Stir constantly to avoid burning the mixture.

Once mixture just starts to bubble, remove from heat. When mixture cools down to 110 degrees Fahrenheit or less (tepid), add 1/8 tsp. yeast to each container and stir well. If it is thin or runny, add a few tablespoons of potato flakes until it is 'slightly slushy' in consistency. It should slowly move when you tilt the container.

Apportion 1/2 cup's worth into each container. Garnish with enough excelsior to reach the top of the container and mash it slightly into the media. Cover and freeze for later use. Bon Appetit!

Makes 8-10 containers worth.

[flyangler18]

I'm a bit lazy, so I prefer a commercial media courtesy of Josh's Frogs that I will occasionally amend with spirulina, Naturose or dusting cup leftovers.

[dom]

Originally Posted by flyangler18

I'm a bit lazy, so I prefer a commercial media courtesy of Josh's Frogs that I will occasionally amend with spirulina, Naturose or dusting cup leftovers.

this is my method!!

[yumpster]

Haha same here. Josh's Frogs media for the win!

[RecycledAgain]

I was under the impression that you cant actually "gut load " flies other the retinal or vitamin A that is stored in their eyes.

Dan

[frogfreak]

Originally Posted by RecycledAgain

I was under the impression that you cant actually "gut load " flies other the retinal or vitamin A that is stored in their eyes.

Dan

This is what I understand as well.

[Ed]

Hi Susan,

How do you define natural? I don't use naturally manufactured potato flakes, powdered sugar etc...

I do add spirulina, old banana (if available), and Naturerose to the media. Spirulia most of the time.

I'm not sure where your headed with the gut loading as a number of things play into the idea..
for example gut transit time is very rapid in fruit flies.. you can't adjust thier calcium level through nutritional methods...

If you are referring to protiens, fats etc, then this can also be dependent on the genetics fo the flies and when they've hatched. For example if you pull the flies at the time of the first boom and the flies are less than 24-48 hours (using numbers from other insects) then they might not have had sufficient time to replenish the nutrients burned off during pupation and if you are used to using flies that are genetically selected to be intolerant of the conditions in a culture post hatch then the flies may crash before they reaquire the needed nutrition.....


And yes if the flies are provided with sufficient carotenoids that are convertable to retinyl and light in the area of 430 nm (If I remember correctly offhand) then they will convert the carotenoids to retinyl and it will end up in the eyes.

Some comments,

Ed

[chadfarmer]

the media i started using is the following

1 cup powdered sugar
4 teaspoons methyln paraben
8 cups potato flakes
1/2 cup of brewers yeast

it make about 30 cultures


i have no clue how good it is but would like some info also

[dom]

Originally Posted by Ed

Hi Susan,



I do add spirulina, old banana (if available), and Naturerose to the media. Spirulia most of the time.


Ed

i keep seeing this addition of spirulina to the mixture .. how much do you add to your cultures of say 1/2 cup dry media?