Fruit Flies

[mantid]

Hi,
Does anyone know what the lowest possible temperature that a fruit fly culture can survive is? I live in BC and it can get pretty cold up here and I need some fruit flies for a mantid ootheca i'm ordering. Also, what would be an alternative to Fruit Flies for feeding Parsphendale Sp. (Budwing Mantid) nymphs?

Thanks in Advance

 

[Ganoderma]

where abouts in bc? i was on vanouver island and bred them in room temp forever. they did breed faster in the animals rooms, around 20c. they like a little warmth for good breeding but mine survived a few days that diped to 4-6 area. they can live but dont expect much progress.

get some white vinegar in there for mold.

oh, and im no avid mantid keeper but i have had a few. when fruit flies were low i used aphids from outside...but i guess that wont happen right now. when it warms up check those purple thistles, they LOVE those things.

 

[mantid]

So you don't think that a fruit fly culture will be able to survive shipment to Prince George from Washington?

Thanks

 

[Ganoderma]

yes it will most likely survive shipment. how long is shipment? prince george can be quite cool in the winter so if its regular snail mail maybe not. if its only a few days it would most likely survive and once placed in your house begin to breed like mad.

its all in the packing, and shippig time. if they insulate it, even just newspaper, i would think there would be no problems.

 

[mantid]

Thanks for the help.