Hydei Fruit Fly Culture for Sale
Hydei is the larger feeder 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, so the culture gives a steady supply once it gets going. It arrives live and producing in a 32oz cup with Super Swarm Media. Because of its size, Hydei suits bigger dart frogs and juveniles rather than the tiniest animals.
Hydei or Melanogaster?
Pick by the size of your animal. Hydei is larger and slower to breed, so it fits bigger frogs and juveniles. The smaller, faster melanogaster fits tiny animals such as froglets and small mantis nymphs. Many keepers run both and match the fly to the animal as it grows.
Honest Note on Size, 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 a fresh culture takes a little longer to produce. The upside is that the flies are larger, so you need fewer per feeding. As with any feeder, the size does not change nutrition, so still dust the flies before feeding.
Using Your Culture
Care follows the same routine as other fruit flies, with a slightly longer start.
Starting a Fresh Culture
Give a fresh Hydei culture about two weeks to build up, since it is slower than melanogaster. However, if the cup already holds larvae or pupae, you can feed right away.
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
- Larger dart frogs and bigger juvenile reptiles and amphibians.
- Small chameleons, geckos, and mantises that take a bigger fly.
- Larger spiderlings and small fish.
- Keepers who want fewer, larger flies per feeding.
Not Best For
- The tiniest animals, such as froglets, which do better on smaller melanogaster.
- Keepers who need flies fast, since Hydei cultures start slower.
- 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.
- 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 Fruit Fly Kit to culture your own flies at home.
- Super Swarm Dry Fruit Fly Media to make your own cultures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Hydei fruit fly?
It is the larger feeder fruit fly, Drosophila hydei, with adults around 4mm. It is a separate species from melanogaster and suits bigger small animals.
How is Hydei different from melanogaster?
Hydei is larger and slower to breed, while melanogaster is smaller and faster. So Hydei fits bigger animals and melanogaster fits the tiniest ones.
Do Hydei flies fly?
They are a flightless strain, but they can regain some flight if a culture gets too warm. For that reason, keep cultures cool and keep a lid handy.
How long until a culture produces?
Hydei is slower than melanogaster, so give a fresh culture about two weeks. If it already contains larvae or pupae, you can feed right away.
What animals is Hydei best for?
It suits larger dart frogs, bigger juvenile reptiles and amphibians, small chameleons and geckos, mantises, larger spiderlings, and small fish.
Do I still need to dust the flies?
Yes. The larger size does not change the low calcium content, so dust the flies with calcium and a multivitamin 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, useful background on the genus that includes both hydei and melanogaster.
- How and Why Drosophila Became a Model Organism. A review of the fast life cycle and prolific breeding that make these flies easy to culture as feeders.
- ScienceDirect: Gut Loading (veterinary overview). A reference on why feeder insects need supplementation, which supports dusting flies before feeding.
