Forked Tree Ranch produces flies that are successfully pollinate vegetable crops including onions, carrots, radishes, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, buckwheat, sunflowers, garlic, peppers and canola. Blue Bottle flies are shipped to you in the dormant (pupae) stage and will hatch within 48 hours at 80 degrees F. 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. Although meat fly by nature, it loves the nectar of flowers. Our brood fly colony is a closed colony to prevent any contamination from other fly species. They are primarily used outdoors in tents ranging from selfing cages to 100' tents.

• Blue Bottle flies are carefree - they work in small areas (selfing cages) whereas bees tend to get depressed.
• 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.
• Life span in ideal conditions is up to a month.
• 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.

In the off-season, our flies are being used successfully in greenhouses for many types of vegetables and canola.

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

New for 2004  Pre-packaged Disposable Pollinators

Up to 1/2 cup per 3"x2"x2"box.  Only $.50 each plus  the cost of the pupae

Larger box (6"x4"x2") is available at $.75 each

These boxes have been tested for 2 years successfully, the advantages are:

• Pre-packaged incubator

• Pre-measured—Guaranteed quantities

• Protection from the elements and chemical residues

• Labor savings– only onsite labor necessary is placing the box into the cage and lifting the lid slightly

• Less stress in shipping—-successfully shipped in hot weather without insulated box

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

We don't require a contract. To guarantee amounts required, we ask the plant breeders to give us a projection of their needs 2 weeks in advance. We realize that weather is a determining factor on your needs and we are flexible-you'll want to have some fly pupae on hand before you actually need them-they can be stored for several weeks at 40 degrees F. We have extra each week in the event of a change in weather. A rain and wind storm or a hot summer day can suddenly changes your requirements.