Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Why flightless fruit flies??

  1. #1
    spooky
    Guest

    Default Why flightless fruit flies??

    Hi all! I was just wondering why flightless/wingless fruit flies are more preferred to than flying fruit flies? Are they easier to cultivate? Or is it because they are easier for frogs to catch? Sorry if it's a silly question, I just don't get it

  2. # ADS
    Circuit advertisement
     

  3. #2
    Mattiez
    Guest

    Default Re: Why flightless fruit flies??

    I think its easier for the frogs, and their keepers. You don't have to worry about escapes in your house as easily.

  4. #3
    KellyM
    Guest

    Default Re: Why flightless fruit flies??

    It makes it easier on you lol
    The little buggers are small and escape like nobodies business. If they had wings it would be much worse!

    the lack of wings probably helps some of the animals too.....

  5. #4
    JeffX
    Guest

    Default Re: Why flightless fruit flies??

    Yes they are much easier for everyone involved. Just for simple fact that they don't fly. It's easier to catch them if they do get out and easier for the frogs to catch them as well.

  6. #5
    Founder John's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Nationality
    [Ireland]
    Location
    United States
    Age
    46
    Posts
    5,963
    Picture Albums: Member Photo Albums

    Default Re: Why flightless fruit flies??

    It takes a lot longer for a "walk" to get to the bananas in your kitchen than it does for a "fly".
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

  7. #6
    spooky
    Guest

    Default Re: Why flightless fruit flies??

    Yeah, they were the logical answers I guess! Thought there may be more to it than that! Next, they should try to genetically modify crickets so they don't jump...... Now THERE'S an idea!!! They are a pain

  8. #7
    100+ Post Member Tom Highum's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Nationality
    [United States]
    Location
    Colorado
    Age
    29
    Posts
    1,081
    Picture Albums: Member Photo Albums

    Default Re: Why flightless fruit flies??

    hmm is that possible? i like the idea because then the males couldn't chirp

  9. #8
    Contributor SludgeMunkey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Nationality
    [United States]
    Location
    Bellevue, Nebraska
    Age
    47
    Posts
    593
    Picture Albums: Member Photo Albums

    Default Re: Why flightless fruit flies??

    A trick you can use at feeding time for all live insects is to put hem in the fridge for a few minutes. This slows them down enough you can easily get them out of their containers and into your pet enclosures. they warm up and start moving again just as you get the pet enclosure closed up.


    As a kid I did a now legendary "experiment" with fruit flies. Thanks to the inexperience of youth, my parent's house was infested with hundreds of thousands of flying fruit flies for close to a year!

    This is why I prefer the wingless strains of fruit flies for feeding. Some strains of flightless fruit flies WILL redevelop the ability to fly after a few generations.
    Watching FrogTV because it is better when someone else has to maintain the enclosure!

  10. #9
    spooky
    Guest

    Default Re: Why flightless fruit flies??

    I did a similar experiment with snails when I was 8 or 9... I tried to keep them as pets in a bucket. With no lid. We were infested with snails for ages after!!! Haha! Thanks for the fridge tip, will certainly give it a go!!!

  11. #10
    Mike
    Guest

    Default Re: Why flightless fruit flies??

    There are a few varieties of flightless (vestigial) fruit flies (turkish gliders, curly wings, etc.) and wingless (apterous) fruit flies (standard, golden delicious, etc.). There was a good article online that documented all of the Drosophila species & strains which are commonly cultured in the hobby but unfortunately it is no longer online.

    I currently keep turkish gliders and standard wingless, and the turkish glider cultures are more productive for me than the wingless. Could just be me but I've heard some others with the same experience. They hop around but are also easily contained and worth it.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. What kind of fruit do frogs eat?
    By Kurt in forum Other Frogs & Toads
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: January 4th, 2009, 08:54 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •