Page 5
IV. Culturing and Handling of Sarcophaga and Nasonia
The basic requirements for culturing and handling the host organism, Sarcophaga, and Nasonia are
as follows:
Important! The Nasonia and Sarcophaga are both harmless to humans, although there have been some
reports of allergic reactions to the hemolymph in the flesh fly pupae. Teachers and students are encouraged
to wash their hands before and after handling Nasonia and Sarcophaga.
A. Sarcophaga Hosts
1. The non-parasitized Sarcophaga hosts are sent in the early pupal stage. Refrigerate the hosts
immediately upon arrival. Refrigeration at 4°C will keep the hosts viable for three to four weeks.
Important! If unrefrigerated, adult Sarcophaga will emerge in approximately ten days.
Keep the hosts refrigerated at all times. This will ensure that they remain as young and tender
as possible for parasitization.
2. At the time of culturing, remove only the number of hosts needed.
B. Nasonia
Note: Nasonia are shipped in the pupal stage while still in the host.
1. Upon receipt, you may want to check the stage of the Nasonia. To do this, remove a
parasitized host from the culture tube. Gently crack open the thin pupal casing of the host
which contains the Nasonia pupae (figure 6).
Figure 5: Lateral View
Male and Female Adult
Male Female
