ayermish@asylum.UUCP (Aimee Yermish) (11/13/88)
Hm, when I cultured Drosophila in lab, we used this icky oatmeal-like goop to feed them, although I suppose grapes must work pretty well. Also we put in plastic netting in the tubes so they would have more room to pupate. As far as getting them in a, er, receptive frame of mind, ether was the thing (brand name "Fly-Nap"). Try a small butterfly killing jar, that should be more widely available. As far as wingless flies, I don't know. It sounds like a temperature-sensitive mutation of some sort, but I really don't know much about fly molecular genetics. You might consider keeping them in a cooler part of the house (like the cellar or the garage) as long as it doesn't get too cold at night. Actually, come to think of it, you might find your flies easier to capture if you cooled the container just prior to harvesting. --Aimee