Long-Lasting Flightless Fruit Fly Food

Ingredients

• 2 cups instant mashed potato flakes
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup brewer's yeast
• 2 tablespoons spirulina powder
• 1 tablespoon methylparaben (Tegosept)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 3 cups warm water
• Excelsior or coffee filters, for each culture cup

Instructions

1. 

   1

   Combine the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant mashed potato flakes, powdered sugar, brewer's yeast, spirulina powder, methylparaben, and ground cinnamon until evenly blended.

2. 

   2

   Add the wet ingredients. Pour in the apple cider vinegar and warm water. Stir until the mixture forms a thick, smooth paste with no dry pockets remaining.

3. 

   3

   Let the mixture rest. Allow the medium to sit for about 10 minutes so the potato flakes fully hydrate and the texture firms up slightly.

4. 

   4

   Prepare the culture cups. Spoon about ½ to ¾ inch of the medium into the bottom of each clean culture cup, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon.

5. 

   5

   Add excelsior. Place a generous handful of excelsior (or a few folded coffee filters) into each cup to give the flies climbing surfaces and pupation sites.

6. 

   6

   Seed the cultures. Add a starter group of flightless fruit flies to each cup, then cover with a breathable lid or fabric secured with a rubber band.

7. 

   7

   Store and monitor. Keep the cultures in a warm, stable location out of direct sunlight. New flies should begin emerging within 10–14 days.