Incubation of the Pupae
Six paper bags of pupae are placed into each PARC, (plastic aerial release container), box and a specially modified lid closes the PARC box. The lid has been modified by removing a section of the original container and imbedding a screen. The agar for the flies is placed on this lid screen.
Employees then begin the stacking process where stacks of six PARC boxes are placed against the walls of the incubation trailers. Pupae are kept segregated by the laboratory of origin in the PARC boxes.
After the agar has been placed on the lid screen, the employees secure the stacks together with two sets of string clamps. The stacks are then arranged so they have approximately 12 inches of clearance between them to allow for adequate air circulation.
After each incubation trailer is filled with PARC boxes, the thermostat is set at 77 degrees Fahrenheit, fans are set to the "on" position and the lights are turned off. The fans allow for proper air circulation throughout the trailer to prevent any temperature inversions. On the second day of incubation, the lights are turned on from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to encourage the emerged flies to come out of the paper bags.
