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How to Find the F2 Generation of Fruit Fly

Fruit flies are among the animals most commonly used in genetics experiments. Their seven-day generation time makes it easy to observe changes and make predictions on genetic results. Female fruit flies lay their eggs in the medium, so separating the generations is simply a matter of adding adults to a vial for a few days, then removing them and raising the young.

Things You'll Need

Fruit fly culture vials or jars
Fruit fly medium

Instructions

- 1
  Set up your culture jars or vials. You can purchase commercial fruit fly supplies or make your own.
- 2
  Add the adult flies from your seed stock. Incubate the culture vials or jars at approximately 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit).
- 3
  Check the vials or jars daily. After two or three days, you will notice larva crawling around in the medium. After another couple of days, you will see the larva crawl up the side of the container and change into pupa.
- 4
  Remove the adult flies from the culture by tapping the container against a hard surface to make them fall to the bottom. Open the lid and pour the adults into another container.
- 5
  Wait for adults to begin to emerge from the pupa. This is your F1 generation. Transfer these adult flies to a new culture container, where they will produce your F2 generation.

Insects & Science