32oz Deli Cup – No Lid

32oz Deli Cups for Sale

This clear 32oz deli cup is a simple, low-cost container for everyday use in the hobby. Keepers reach for it to make fruit fly and beetle cultures, hold feeder insects, and house small invertebrates. The clear plastic lets you check on the contents without opening the cup. One important note up front: this listing is the cup only, so it does not include a lid.

Common Uses

• Fruit fly cultures. The 32oz size suits a standard producing culture once you add media and a vented lid.
• Beetle cultures. Additionally, it works for bean beetle and flour beetle cultures using a dry culture blend.
• Feeder holding. You can also use it to sort or hold small feeders for a short time.
• Small invertebrates. Furthermore, it serves as a temporary cup for isopod or springtail starts and similar small setups.
• Shipping and storage. Finally, the stackable shape makes it handy for moving or storing small quantities.

Honest Note: No Lid Included

This cup ships without a lid, so plan to add one for most uses. For fruit fly and beetle cultures, you need a lid with ventilation, since the culture must breathe while staying contained. Many keepers use a vented or filtered lid, or cover the cup with cloth or a coffee filter held by a band. Matching lids are sold separately.

Tips for Use

A few small habits keep cultures and feeders healthy in these cups.

Making Fruit Fly Cultures

Add prepared media and an excelsior or paper insert, then seed the cup with flies. After that, fit a ventilated lid so the culture breathes without letting flies escape.

Housing or Holding Feeders

Keep only a short-term amount of feeders in one cup, and avoid overcrowding. Therefore, use several cups rather than packing one, which helps keep the feeders clean and alive.

Cleaning and Reuse

Wash the cup with warm water and let it dry fully before reuse. However, discard any cup that held a moldy or fouled culture, since residue can affect the next batch.

Best For

• Keepers making or expanding fruit fly and beetle cultures.
• Anyone holding or sorting small feeder insects.
• Hobbyists who want cheap, reusable containers in bulk.
• Small invertebrate keepers needing temporary cups.

Not Best For

• Anyone expecting a lid, since this listing is the cup only.
• Long-term housing of animals that need a secure, ventilated enclosure.
• Larger feeders or species that need more space than a 32oz cup.

Recommended Add-Ons

• Fruit Fly Cultures to seed your own producing cultures in these cups.
• TC’s Bean Beetle Blend as a culture media to fill the cup for bean beetles.
• TC’s Rice Flour Beetle Blend for keepers culturing rice flour beetles.
• Super Swarm Fruit Fly Kit for keepers scaling up fruit fly production.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this deli cup come with a lid?

No, this listing is the cup only. You will need to add a lid separately, ideally a ventilated one for cultures.

Can I make a fruit fly culture in it?

Yes, the 32oz size fits a standard producing culture. Just add media, an insert for surface area, flies, and a vented lid.

Is the cup reusable?

Yes, you can wash and reuse it. However, discard any cup that held a moldy or fouled culture to protect your next batch.

What else can I use it for?

Besides cultures, keepers use these cups to hold feeders, start isopods or springtails, and store or ship small quantities.

How big is it?

It is a 32oz cup, tall enough for cultures and feeder holding. The clear sides also make it easy to monitor what is inside.