Note:There is a national shortage of blue bottle flies due to the heat wave and wildfires. Delays may be unavoidable please order in advance.

100% GROWN & SOURCED IN THE U.S.A

• 100 Larvae pupae minimum order
• We always have 10,000 fresh in stock
• We receive fresh deliveries of 10,000 - 20,000 twice a week
• Measured by volume.

Info

Binomial name Calliphora vicina
Common name: Blue bottle,European blowfly.

C. vicina was introduced and is known as a blue bottle fly because of the metallic blue-gray coloration of its thorax and abdomen. The blue bottle fly is approximately 10-11 mm in length.
C. vicina goes through five generations in a year at a threshold temperature of 27° C (81° F). A female C. vicina can lay up to 300 eggs, on fresh carrion or on open wounds. The larvae go through three instar stages. The first instar hatches in approximately 24 hours after the eggs are laid. It goes through its second instar in 20 hours and its third instar in 48 hours. Under favorable conditions, the larvae feed for about three to four days. When the larvae complete their development, they disperse to find an adequate place to pupate. The C. vicina pupa stage last about 11 days. At 27° C, C. vicina’s life cycle lasts approximately 18 days. Climatic factors, such as temperature, are known to influence egg-laying and development of instar-larvae. In warmer weather the life cycle can last a little less, and in cooler temperatures the life cycle takes a little longer.

On average the life cycle of flies and blue bottles is about 6 weeks. However, in hot conditions the time taken for eggs of the fly to become maggots and then a fly could be as little as 7 days.

100% GROWN & SOURCED IN THE U.S.A

• 500 Larvae pupae minimum
• We always have 10,000 fresh in stock
• We receive fresh deliveries of 10,000 - 20,000 twice a week

These are used for feeders and pollinators

• We now can package your pupae in biodegradable paper bags for pollinating in greenhouses and in the fields. Just hag the individual bags with a small hole for hatching flies to escape. Kraft paper bags can be mulched in the compost.

• The flies have been identified by the USDA, Systematic Entomology Lab in Maryland as DIPTERA Calliphoridae (Ref: TSU Lot #96-8464). Its common name is the Blue Bottle Fly

•  Blue Bottle flies are carefree – they work in small areas (selfing cages) whereas bees tend to get depressed.

• Blue Bottle flies are shipped to you in the dormant (pupae) stage and will hatch within 48 hours at 80 degrees F.

• Blue Bottle flies are grown on fish, free from pollen, mold or bacteria, the only contact is the fish and white wood sawdust

• Blue Bottle flies are replacing the use of cutter bees and honey bees in large walk-in cages.

• Blue Bottle flies hatch and “work” at cooler temperatures than do houseflies and bees.

• Blue Bottle flies feed on plant nectar.

•  Relatively easy to adjust quantities in cages — more are just a phone call away

• If a bee leaves the tent, he’ll come back with possible contamination, where a fly is gone for good

GREENHOUSE

Our flies are being used successfully in greenhouses year around for many types of vegetables and canola.

They are also being used to increase production of vegetable crops grown in greenhouses, such as peppers and tomatoes.

AVAILABLE YEAR AROUND

Blue Bottle fly pupae are available directly from Forked Tree Ranch in small or large quantities year-round. They are only a phone call away and can be delivered the next day via Fed Ex.

APRIL – AUGUST

Due to the pollinating requirements during this time period we request you have a tentative pollinating schedule submitted to Forked Tree Ranch for the current season at least 3 weeks prior to anticipated flowering.  We will guarantee amounts required ONLY if scheduling is done beforehand.

We will do our best to meet your needs and we realize that weather is a determining factor on your needs and we are flexible.  We have extra in stock each week in the event of a change in weather.  Rain, wind or a hot summer day can suddenly change your requirements.

You will want to have some fly pupae on hand before you actually need them, but they can be stored for a week or so at just above freezing.

We would like to suggest that your first order of flies arrive 7 days in advance in case of any delays or freight damage OR early flowering.

 PRE-PACKAGED DISPOSABLE POLLINATORS

The advantages are:

•Pre-measured—Guaranteed quantities

•Protection from the elements and chemical residues

•Labor savings– only onsite labor necessary is placing the bag into the cage.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE DOWNLOADED WITH ORDERS

Blue bottle pupae can be stored in the fridge for up to a month, after which time hatching rates will naturally decline.  Some flies will continue to hatch, but it will get more inconsistent and unreliable with time. We recommend buying more pupae every three weeks to ensure maximum hatch rates.

If you accidentally hatch out too many flies at once, or prefer to feed your mantis live, already hatched flies, no problem – you can store adult flies in the fridge as well! Just supply them with a little food and water on occasion, and you can still keep them in the fridge for up to a few weeks.