2 replies to this topic

[BleepingBleepers]

Cinnamon is commonly used in fruit fly media (their food) because it helps prevent mold.

 

However, I'm reading that ants avoid cinnamon and therefore think it might be bad for them.

 

So I'm wondering, anyone breed fruit flies for their ants and use cinnamon? Any negative effects on their health?

 

Since the larvae and sometimes the adults will eat the media and then they get eaten by the ants, I wonder if that'll be an issue.

 

 

 

I've been using like 1/4th teaspoon of cinnamon to fill the bottom of a 32 oz jar, there's like an inch deep of media. So I don't think it's a lot of cinnamon.

Edited by BleepingBleepers, October 16 2023 - 10:07 PM.

[ANTdrew]

I doubt it will harm the ants as it moves up the food chain. I say just use vinegar to prevent mold, though.

[PurdueEntomology]

I have been using cinnamon for the past two years in my fruit fly cultures and have been using these flies to feed my ants, particularly my ponerine i.e. carnivorous species and have had no problems.  I have not observed any issues with fruit flies with cinnamon included in the culture medium.  Upshot, don't worry nor overthink this.