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Fruit fly cultures? Feeder insects in general


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6 replies to this topic

#1 Offline antaioli - Posted October 24 2017 - 4:23 PM

antaioli

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Hello!

I live near Sydney and I'm wondering where I can get a hold of a wingless fruit fly culture? I've searched online and can't find somewhere to buy them.

On the same note, what do other aussies feed their ants for protein?

I was considering capturing wild fruit flies but I'm wary of the dangers that has. I'm attempting to keep isopods and have a decent amount of pest aquarium snails in my freshwater aquarium.

Thanks!



#2 Offline Spamdy - Posted October 24 2017 - 6:07 PM

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You can find flightless fruit flies in most petstores such as PetSmart or PetCo. I'm not sure if these are in Australia though. Anyway, just go to a petstore, then go to the reptile section and go to feeders, there should be mealworms, superworms, and fruit flies.

 

Honestly I'm pretty certain that in Australia people feed the same stuff, maybe just some different insects self caught.

 

Hope this helps.


All my colonies are dead. 

 

 Except:

  

  Pogonomyrmex barbatus

  Pheidole obscurithorax

  Pheidole morens


#3 Offline Canadian anter - Posted October 25 2017 - 4:31 AM

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I know a lot of aussies use wood roaches. Fruit flies are easy but you may get mold problems.


Visit us at www.canada-ant-colony.com !

#4 Offline BMM - Posted October 25 2017 - 3:23 PM

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I might be misreading your post, but I'd be wary of using isopods as feeders. Most ants aren't interested in them and they have voracious appetites. If they unintentionally start cohabiting with your ants, they'll probably end up eating the brood as a protein source. I had a small colony of A. nasatum that would eat a cricket about every other day and it would only take them five minutes to make it disappear.



#5 Offline Del - Posted November 23 2017 - 3:59 PM

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Check out Southern Biological, they sell wingless fruit fly starters


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#6 Offline Guzzer - Posted February 14 2018 - 2:00 PM

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Check out Southern Biological, they sell wingless fruit fly starters

 

This is where I started mine. Bought bottles and medium there as well.

 

Started off with around 20 flies.. week or two later they multiplied and I have been moving them to other bottles.

 

I feed crickets, woodies and mealworms.

Though recently discovered these 'canned' insect food from exo terra. At $8AUD it saves a lot of hassle with live feeder insects, cleaning and feeding. They come in a handy can that once opened need to go into the fridge. 

 

I have tried it with all my colonies and they loved it.

 

 

UWy65Tkl.jpg

 

Polyrhachis australis



#7 Offline CoolColJ - Posted March 1 2018 - 9:58 AM

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Though recently discovered these 'canned' insect food from exo terra. At $8AUD it saves a lot of hassle with live feeder insects, cleaning and feeding. They come in a handy can that once opened need to go into the fridge. 
 
I have tried it with all my colonies and they loved it.
 
 

 
Polyrhachis australis


nice

have you tried freeze dried insects like crickets etc or freeze dried mealworms? rehydrating them by soaking in water?
I think they make them for reptile feed

Edited by CoolColJ, March 1 2018 - 1:44 PM.

Current ant colonies -
1) Opisthopsis Rufithorax (strobe ant), Melophorus sp2. black and orange, Pheidole species, Pheidole antipodum
Journal = http://www.formicult...ra-iridomyrmex/

Heterotermes cf brevicatena termite pet/feeder journal = http://www.formicult...feeder-journal/





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