Hydei Producing Culture for Sale This is a single, already-producing culture of the larger fruit fly, Drosophila hydei. At around 4mm, it is a separate, bigger species from the smaller melanogaster, which makes it the better fit for larger animals. The flies are flightless and prolific. Because it is sold as a producing culture, it should already contain larvae and pupae and give flies soon. It arrives in a 32oz cup with Super Swarm Media. Because of its size, it suits bigger frogs and juveniles rather than the tiniest animals. Larger Fly, Single Ready Culture This listing pairs the larger hydei size with the single, ready-to-feed format. So it suits keepers who want one bigger-fly culture they can feed from quickly. For bulk pricing, the Hydei pack listing offers 5, 10, and 20 culture options. For a smaller fly, see the wingless melanogaster. Honest Note on Flight and Production Hydei is a flightless feeder strain, but the flies can regain limited flight if a culture gets too warm. Therefore, keep cultures at a stable, moderate temperature and keep a lid handy when harvesting. Hydei also starts slower than melanogaster, so if it arrives mostly as larvae and pupae, give it a little longer before feeding. A producing culture is further along than a fresh one, so you can usually feed soon. However, output rises, peaks, then fades over a few weeks. So plan to rotate or replace cultures. The larger size does not change nutrition, so still dust the flies before feeding. Using Your Culture Care is the same as any hydei culture. Feeding from It Feed flies once you see them moving in the cup. If it arrives with mostly larvae and pupae, give it a few days to finish emerging, since hydei is slower than melanogaster. Conditions Keep the culture at a stable room temperature and out of direct sun. Avoiding heat also helps keep the flightless flies grounded. Harvesting and Dusting Tap flies into a separate cup, then dust them with calcium and a multivitamin before feeding. Tapping the cup down keeps the flies from climbing out. Best For Keepers who want a single, ready-to-feed larger-fly culture. Larger dart frogs and bigger juvenile reptiles and amphibians. Small chameleons, geckos, and mantises that take a bigger fly. Keepers who want fewer, larger flies per feeding. Not Best For Keepers who want several cultures or bulk pricing, who should use the pack listing. The tiniest animals, such as froglets, which do better on smaller melanogaster. Keepers who will not dust feeders, because plain flies are low in calcium. Recommended Add-Ons TC Calcium Ultra Fine to dust flies before feeding. Hydei Packs for buying several cultures at a discount. Wingless Melanogaster for a smaller fly for younger or tinier animals. Golden Hydei for a more visible color form of the larger fly. Super Swarm Dry Fruit Fly Media to culture your own flies at home. Frequently Asked Questions What is this listing? It is a single, already-producing culture of the larger fruit fly Drosophila hydei, sold at a flat price. How is it different from the pack listing? This is one culture, sold as producing and ready to feed soon. The pack listing offers the same fly in 5, 10, and 20 culture options with bulk discounts. How is Hydei different from melanogaster? Hydei is larger and slower to breed, while melanogaster is smaller and faster. So Hydei fits bigger animals. Do Hydei flies fly? They are a flightless strain, but they can regain some flight if a culture gets too warm. So keep cultures cool and keep a lid handy. Can I feed from it right away? Usually yes, since it is sold as producing. If it arrives mostly as larvae and pupae, give it a few days, since hydei is slower than melanogaster. Do I still need to dust the flies? Yes. The larger size does not change the low calcium content, so dust before feeding. Learn More About Fruit Flies These sources cover the biology of the fruit fly genus behind your culture. eLife: The Secret Lives of Drosophila Flies. A peer-reviewed look at the natural history of Drosophila, including the genus that contains hydei. How and Why Drosophila Became a Model Organism. A review of the fast life cycle and prolific breeding that make these flies easy to keep as producing cultures. ScienceDirect: Gut Loading (veterinary overview). A reference on why feeder insects need supplementation, which supports dusting flies before feeding.