Reptile & Amphibian Forums

All 4 of my vials of FF have no adults left in them...they all have both the white larvae crawling around (big and small) or the brown sac like thing that is attached to the side of the vial. My question is about how long does it take for them to go through the larvae stage to the adult stage? Are the *hatched* (if that is the correct word) out as small baby fruit flies or large regular sized adults?

Thanks! I'm just having to feed my little bitty girl these tiny pinhead crix that I suspect are just crawling down into the substrate as soon as I put them in there. I'm waiting for those to grow up as well...but it seems to be taking forever.

Kristen

Hi Kristen,

I have found the hydei to be less prolific regardless of the claim that both are highly prolific. The hydeilife cycle (egg to adult) is 25 days and the melanogaster is 15 days.

I have only about two adults left in each but I am not even seeing much in the way of larva and/or pupae. They emerge as full sized adult ff from the "brown sac like thing" (the pupa - equivalent to a butterfly's cocoon). Did you get a culturing kit? I was going to start more cultures, but now with only one cham to feed - who isn't eating - I decided to wait. Be sure not to let the medium get moldy or you can possibly pass something along to your chams.

In order to get them going a little faster put them in a warm, NOT hot, place in bright light, NOT direct sunlight, for awhile. Keep checking it throughout the day, tho' b/c you don't want moisture to build up or you will promote mold and bacteria. Sounds tricky but figure you just need to check on the FF as much as you check on the girls! LOL!

hope this helps!

lele

>>All 4 of my vials of FF have no adults left in them...they all have both the white larvae crawling around (big and small) or the brown sac like thing that is attached to the side of the vial. My question is about how long does it take for them to go through the larvae stage to the adult stage? Are the *hatched* (if that is the correct word) out as small baby fruit flies or large regular sized adults?
>>
>>Thanks! I'm just having to feed my little bitty girl these tiny pinhead crix that I suspect are just crawling down into the substrate as soon as I put them in there. I'm waiting for those to grow up as well...but it seems to be taking forever.
>>
>>Kristen

Thanks Lele...a few more questions...first, how long are they usually in the "pupa" stage? I see lots of sacs, but I have not seen any ff emerge yet. I have LOTS of larvae crawling around...

How do I go about making sure they don't get moldy and such? I've just been keeping them in a shady window with the blinds closed.

Thanks!
Kristen

I know the D. melanogaster is in its pupal stage for about 4 days so I would assume around 6 for the hydei. As you look at the pupae keep in mind that some might already be empty. If you have a hand lens or magnifying glass look at several and you can easily tell if they have emerged or not.

as for mold and stuff what you're doing sounds fine. Just don't let it get too hot. Eventually all the cultures get yucky and the medium depleted as the ff feed but each should last at least a month.

Here's a neat website on culturing your own. I think I may try her method (if I ever need so many again

lele
ccol site on FF culturing!