Breeding fruit flies to feed Phidippus

🌿✨ Get started in breeding fruit flies with ease! ✨🌿

Whether you're an entomology enthusiast or looking for nutritious food for your little predators, learning how to transplant your Drosophila strains is a must!

Here's a simple guide to getting started:

Ingredients for the substrate (2 pots) :

  • Oat flakes (+/- 50g) :
    The nourishing heart of your substrate.
  • Compote or crushed ripe fruit (+/- 100g) : For a sweet touch that attracts and nourishes your fruit flies.
  • Spirit Vinegar (3 TBSP) : Prevents mold and keeps your crop healthy.
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Necessary material :

  • Bowl : To mix your ingredients.
  • Glass or plastic pot : Your mini-ecosystem for fruit flies.
  • Nylon stockings or anti-pollen canvas : Allows ventilation while securing your fruit flies.
  • Elastic : To secure your ventilated cover.
  • Supports : Pieces of egg boxes, raffia, or rolls of paper, providing a place to rest or lay eggs.

Simplified steps :

  1. Mix your ingredients in the bowl to create a balanced substrate. The mixture should be neither too liquid nor too dry.
  2. Fill the bottom of the pot with the substrate, to a height of 2 to 3 cm
  3. Add supports (pieces of egg cartons, raffia, toilet paper rolls) so that the fruit flies can rest or reproduce
  4. Cover the pot with nylon stocking or anti-pollen cloth, and secure it with an elastic band
  5. Place a few fruit flies indoors, and watch them thrive in their new habitat!
    This is also where you can introduce calcium-treated fruit flies.
    See the dedicated article
💡 Tip
  1. The life cycle of fruit flies is directly influenced by temperature: at 25°C, it lasts around two weeks, but it lengthens at 18°C.
    Their development involves the eggs hatching in 24 hours, larval growth for five days, then metamorphosis into a nymph and the emergence of the adult.
    Adjust the temperature according to the desired rate of development : cool for slow development, room temperature for a normal rate, and warmer to speed up the process.

  2. Change of substrate: It is recommended to change the substrate every three weeks to maintain the hygiene and health of your livestock. A clean substrate is crucial to prevent disease and promote optimal fruit fly development.

 Join our community of phidippus enthusiasts and share your successes and tips on our social networks! 🐞🍃

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