Stupid simple questions about culturing

I'll answer some of these - but keep in mind I haven't had a ton of success with the FF's - got something weird going on. My springs are going nuts - two cultures (parent culture in ABG type mix, one made from that in charcoal only, and the viv is also full of them now.

Dartolution said:

Hi all! I am about to start culturing temperate springtails and melanogaster FFs

Questions:

Can I really use plain old coffee filters on mason jars for the ff's?

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That is what i've read, yes. I use excelsior. There was also a thread about using easter grass instead of excelsior. On the Josh's media jar it says: coffee filters.

Dartolution said:

Why can't I mix charcoal (hardwood) with peatmoss for springtails ?

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You CAN. BUT, when you go to feed out the culture (i.e., harvest) it will become an awful mess. You see - an easy way to harvest is to flood the culture with water and pour off the springs. If you flood it with peat in there - then well, you'll have peat everywhere too.

Dartolution said:

Is 70-75 degrees too cool for culturing the flies and springs?

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Flies - I think that is the correct temps. Lower temps are OK just slows their cycle down

Springs - My springs are kept at room temp. Most of the day that means 65. They are booming.

Others will chime in here.

- ryan

Dartolution said:

Why can't I mix charcoal (hardwood) with peatmoss for springtails ?

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I've used sphagnum before and had good results until mites and the little tiny worms showed up. I use strictly charcoal... You can easily flood or dump the entire culture into the tank.

Dartolution said:

Do I need to add yeast to the ff cultures even after they are setup? I read no.

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If you choose to add yeast to the culture, you will only need a small pinch of 15-30 grains sprinkled on top of the media before adding flies, not after you add flies.

Dartolution said:

If I feed the springtails foods other than yeast I need to sterilize them in some way correct?

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I feed my springs only yeast. It seems (in my experience) that using fish food, rice, and pasta allows for other unwanted creatures to thrive in the cultures. Since I've switched to a yeast only diet, I don't get the little worms and hardly ever see mites. I know other members might not have issues with feeding other foods, but I do...



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Dartolution said:

Can I really use plain old coffee filters on mason jars for the ff's?

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If you are referring to using them as lids sure, but if you want to replace them quickly they aren't as convient as the fiber lids and they can be torn easily resulting in escape and/or contamination. People do use them as a substrate for pupation and/or to keep the adult flies from getting trapped in the wet media and drowning.

Dartolution said:

Why can't I mix charcoal (hardwood) with peatmoss for springtails ?

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It can but it will change your harvesting methods. Charcoal is used so you can flood the culture, which causes the springtails to float to the surface where they can be poured off and then poured into the cultures. This allows for a simple massive input of springtails. with the peat moss method, to get a massive input you have to add most/all of the culture to the enclosure and typically can harvest smaller amounts by baiting the springtails.

Dartolution said:

Where and what kind of mite spray will work? I'm seeing people getting it from everywhere! You spray a paper towel down with it, let it dry, then put your cultures on it right?

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Review the products sold by the sponsors or as an alternative simply order mite paper.

Dartolution said:

Is 70-75 degrees too cool for culturing the flies and springs?

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No and no.. My temperate springs get down to about 45 F in the winter.

Dartolution said:

Can I use a large sterilte container for both insects as long as I use mite spray?

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Why do you want to use the tubs? They are not necessary and can be problematic in some cases.

Dartolution said:

Do I need to add yeast to the ff cultures even after they are setup? I read no.

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There are two types of yeast used in culturing fruit flies. Neither is added to the culture after it is set up. One is added to the media before adding water to supply protien. The second is added before the flies and reduces the risk of contamination by other microbes and stimulates the flies to lay eggs earlier. The flies will carry yeast and other microbes to the culture. Neither type is "necessary" but both help with the culturing. For a more definitive answer, which type of yeast are you referring to?

Dartolution said:

If I feed the springtails foods other than yeast I need to sterilize them in some way correct?

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Sterilizing the foods doesn't stop mites from walking into the cultures. Yeast reduces the risk of mites but some mites like fungal mites do just fine on it. If you house your cultures close to other invertebrate cultures you will get mites at some point.

Ed

Review the products sold by the sponsors or as an alternative simply order mite paper.

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I picked up some Ultra Care Mite and Lice Bird Spray today
Pyrethrins = 0.03%
Pipperonyl Butoxide 0.30%

Im assuming this should work just fine?


Will the cooler temps reduce the reproductive rate of the springtails?
or do they prefer cold temperatures?

Right now they are sitting around 74*F

Why do you want to use the tubs? They are not necessary and can be problematic in some cases.

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I was going to use the tub to house the cultures in to keep the humidity up and to future protect them from the potential mite infestation.
I placed wax paper down and then paper towels drenched in the above mentioned mite spray, once dry the cultures are sat on top of it.
Then I figured for the FF's I could spray a little water on the lid to keep them moist as the humidity here is in the 40's.

is this okay?

which type of yeast are you referring to?

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Well i used the yeast that Joshs FROGS ships with the cultures to start one up today.

I was actually refering to Brewers or bakers yeast though .



I received my Azureus today and the cultures and went ahead and started one melanogaster culture today.
1/2 cup of the Media, 2/3 cup boiling water, mix then add the excelsior, then a pinch of the yeast, allow to cool and introduce flies.

It seems as though the 2/3 cup water wasnt quite enough, the paste was ... pasty and not as liquid as what was sent to me.
its not dry by any means, but more clumpy than liquid...
would it hurt to spray water down on it?

I havent split the springtail culture yet, I have the everything to do so, just havent done it yet.

I did by dry active yeast for it though. its the granuals, not the powder, I couldnt seem to find powered yeast ?
I read that Brewers is best to use?

I make cultures in smaller batches. I use Repashy SUperfly. I use a 2 tbs of dry to 1/4 cup of boiling water. I let cool, add a pinch of BAKERS yeast, add a couple of coffee filters, then add flies.
The mix is not wet and there are always dry parts. I find that over the life of the culture, it get more moist as it pupates. I hated drippy cultures. They also are more prone to mold.

After a month or so of growing, the cultures are practically empty of food. I keep new cultures in a plastic box wth mite paper untill i see maggots on the side. Then I take them out and add to the Active Feeding Area.
Also remember that you should only use BIRD Mite spray, not reptile mite spray. Go got the right stuff. Anther tip is to use cardboard instead of papertowels under the culture. I feel it holds more spray, longer.