Drosophila melanogaster. Fruit flies are often found near unripe and rotted fruit and are an ideal species for behaviour and genetics studies. Ebony body fruit flies are dark in colour; this is a recessive trait.

Chromosomal position: 3

Cultures: contain approximately 30 specimens as well as eggs, larvae and subsequently pupae.
Large Cultures: contain approximately 80 specimens as well as eggs, larvae and subsequently pupae.
Males: contain approximately 30 specimens. We usually require 14 days notice to supply segregated males. 
Virgin Females: contain approximately 30 specimens. We usually require 21 days notice to supply virgin females.
100 Adults: contain approximately 100 adults, both male and female.

Cultures and segregated flies are supplied in glass specimen tubes, large cultures are supplied in large plastic tubes.

All drosophila are bred, and sexed, in-house. This means we have the facilities to supply large or bespoke orders, please contact us for a quote.

All flies are dispatched on Mondays - please advise when ordering your preferred delivery week. If you require males or virgin females urgently please contact us before ordering.

If you wish to breed your flies we have ready prepared media tubes, as well as empty specimen tubes, quick-mix media and yeast. For media recipes and fruit fly facts read our live specimen care information.

Mainland Britain

Our UK mainland delivery charges are as follows: (All figures are exc. VAT)

We send all items by Royal Mail 24. Please allow 2 days for us to dispatch, although it could be longer at busier times. This is a tracked service but NOT signed for, if you require a signed for service please select next day delivery.

For next day delivery, please order by 12 noon, item must be in stock. All stock levels are shown on the web, if showing as out of stock or prepared to order and required urgently, please contact us as we may have stock! Next day orders are sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery by 1pm.

Drosophila are always dispatched on a Monday, please advise when ordering your preferred delivery week.

Our working hours are 9.30am - 4pm Monday - Thursday, 9am - 12pm Friday. Orders received outside these hours will be processed the next working day; orders are only dispatched Monday-Thursday (Monday-Wednesday for perishable items). Hours vary during school holidays but we are usually available via email.

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Northern Ireland

Sadly, due to the UK leaving the EU, we can no longer supply Northern Irish customers with any products the have codes starting with an 'L' or 'P'. This is due to the requirement for all live or preserved products to have an import licence specific to the customer purchasing and the product being purchased. As each licence takes 2 weeks to obtain, and involves a considerable amount of paperwork, we have made the difficult decision to stop offering these products to Northern Irish customers. We can still offer equipment, i.e. products with an 'E' code, as these simply require customs documentation.

We apologise for the inconvenience and if the legislation changes we will review our decision.

British Islands

Delivery charges to the Isle of Man, Channel Islands (including Jersey & Guernsey), Shetland, Orkney and all the other islands we've missed, are the same as to mainland Britain (see above). The main difference is that delivery is likely to take a little longer, and for this reason we cannot guarantee next day delivery.

In addition, we cannot ship any liquids, so any 'wet' specimen ordered will be sent vacuum packed rather than in a jar.

International Orders

We welcome international orders but please note only non-perishable and non-animal derivative items, i.e. only those with codes starting with an 'E', can be sent.

Buyer is responsible for all import duties and taxes. EU businesses need to supply an EORI number before we can ship.

EU Delivery: £22

Non-EU Delivery £28

If you wish to buy something very small/lightweight, or need urgent delivery, please contact us for a postage quote, otherwise standard charges apply.

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