No dipterans in the bug hobby?

[CladeArthropoda]

A large variety of insects are kept in the hobby, saturniid moths, ants, large beetles, mantids, katydids, many more. But there is an order of insects that is essentially entirely unrepresented in the pet bug hobby, diptera, the flies. Some people breed fruit flies as pets, but as far as I know, there is not a single diptera species that is considered a worthwhile pet. Why is this, and could it change in the future? Perhaps some of the larger mydas flies could make the cut?

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Well, now that is something to think about. Stigma probably plays a roll, considering they're like one step up from mosquitos as pests...
...but there are some rather "pretty" kinds of flies out there, if you're applying the same rubric as spiders to the rest of the population, LoL

 

[birdonfire]

Lack of longevity and excessive reproduction are probably turnoffs.

 

[CladeArthropoda]

Lack of longevity and excessive reproduction are probably turnoffs.

I mean, saturniids are pretty short lived aren't they?

 

[Tbone192]

A large variety of insects are kept in the hobby, saturniid moths, ants, large beetles, mantids, katydids, many more. But there is an order of insects that is essentially entirely unrepresented in the pet bug hobby, diptera, the flies. Some people breed fruit flies as pets, but as far as I know, there is not a single diptera species that is considered a worthwhile pet. Why is this, and could it change in the future? Perhaps some of the larger mydas flies could make the cut?

This is interesting, I personally think robber flies, Asilidae, and tiger flies, Xenox, could be very cool additions to the hobby. Xenox might not be viable, they parasitize specific bee species as larvae. Asilidae seems perfect for the hobby though, plenty of really nice looking and active species. Very fun to watch and they control pests.

 

[CladeArthropoda]

This is interesting, I personally think robber flies, Asilidae, and tiger flies, Xenox, could be very cool additions to the hobby. Xenox might not be viable, they parasitize specific bee species as larvae. Asilidae seems perfect for the hobby though, plenty of really nice looking and active species. Very fun to watch and they control pests.

I think horsefly larvae would actually be pretty fun to raise if the adults weren't blood sucking. The larvae are predatory and relatively large.

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Lack of longevity and excessive reproduction are probably turnoffs.

If it took off though, this could be a blessing, in terms of selective breeding for specific traits. Imagine arriving at "pastel," or "Christmas" phases in the span of months, from scratch? LoL

 

[CladeArthropoda]

Gauromydas heros - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Could this make a good pet?

 

[Tbone192]

The only issue I see with these is you need to keep leafcutter ants and certain species of flower to keep the flies fed. Assuming you can set that up, they could make for a really entertaining Dipteran. It would be interesting to see a setup for these pals.

 

[CladeArthropoda]

The only issue I see with these is you need to keep leafcutter ants and certain species of flower to keep the flies fed. Assuming you can set that up, they could make for a really entertaining Dipteran. It would be interesting to see a setup for these pals.

Zoos keep leafcutters already, maybe they can display those giant mydas flies as well.

 

[hirudoverbana]

I've actually seen a surge/general uptick in Diptera keepers in the past several years! Namely in the form of drain flies, as both a commodity and a self-sustaining food supply for juvenile mantises. They're relatively straightforward to keep, from what I understand. The only issue I could foresee with fly-keeping is enclosure size. You'd want them to have ample room for flight, and there's no clear parameters or requirements in regards to their enrichment needs..plus, the constant dying off would require slightly more upkeep than certain species. They would also prove slightly more "noxious" as a consequence of their diet. Just like any invert, though, these are all things to be learned via experimentation. I'd be interested to see if anyone attempts fly-keeping as more than a foodstuff.

 

[CladeArthropoda]

I've actually seen a surge/general uptick in Diptera keepers in the past several years! Namely in the form of drain flies, as both a commodity and a self-sustaining food supply for juvenile mantises. They're relatively straightforward to keep, from what I understand. The only issue I could foresee with fly-keeping is enclosure size. You'd want them to have ample room for flight, and there's no clear parameters or requirements in regards to their enrichment needs..plus, the constant dying off would require slightly more upkeep than certain species. They would also prove slightly more "noxious" as a consequence of their diet. Just like any invert, though, these are all things to be learned via experimentation. I'd be interested to see if anyone attempts fly-keeping as more than a foodstuff.

Funny you mention drain flies. In another server, I proposed an idea about of keeping cellar spiders in an exhibit modeled after a little room with little furniture. Perhaps there could be a little bathroom themed terrarium with cellar spiders, drain flies, and silverfish. Drain flies lay their eggs in the little model toilets and tubs, and eat whatever organic crud you feed them. The flies are preyed upon by the spiders, and excess dead flies are eaten by silverfish.

Someone I spoke to a while ago also suggested a sewer themed zoo exhibit with drain flies, american cockroaches and tubifex worms, though I imagine this wouldn't be practical or desirable as a household terrarium.

 

[bored9x]

I have seen some keep maggot cultures, especially in the "vulture culture" hobby, but the adults seem less desirable due to their reputation as pests. I've always found bottle green flies to be gorgeous, so it would be fascinating to see someone take it upon themselves to grow those.

 

[catboyeuthanasia]

Drosophila melanogaster is probably the most popular pet ever

I've heard that you can make six figures being a fly person!

In all seriousness, I think these could make good pets if you own a display refrigerator: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chionea

 

[CladeArthropoda]

Drosophila melanogaster is probably the most popular pet ever

I've heard that you can make six figures being a fly person!

In all seriousness, I think these could make good pets if you own a display refrigerator: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chionea

Snow dwelling insects are great! Grylloblattodes and snow scorpionflies are similar in this regard.

 

[Kada]

not as pets, but for feed there are plenty. blood worms, black soldier flies, fruit flies etc are all pretty comp and worth good money. have to agree, I haven't heard of people keeping as pets either, just feed for pets.

 

[Tbone192]

Drosophila melanogaster is probably the most popular pet ever

I've heard that you can make six figures being a fly person!

In all seriousness, I think these could make good pets if you own a display refrigerator: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chionea

I'm actually trying to culture Chionea alexandriana currently. Haven't had much luck quite yet but the season for them is just beginning.

 

[CladeArthropoda]

I'm actually trying to culture Chionea alexandriana currently. Haven't had much luck quite yet but the season for them is just beginning.

Nice! Update us on the situation if you get any progress

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I just got rid of a gnat infestation so I don’t expect them to be popular as anything but feeders. It would Be cool if there was a long lived pet fly!!!

 

[HexLazerr]

I managed to keep sustainable mosquito colonies of a few species for several generations until i moved further north and couldn't find any desirable species of interest. Not that i'm recommending pet mosquitoes, but it does show that there is potential for more dipteran species to be cultured.
That aside, i've seen some cool species that might be easier to keep (mainly the bigger calliphorids)
Parasitoids are also pretty cool too, considering experimenting with a few tachinid species next year. I'd definitely give flies a shot at being more than just feeders!