Excreta Quantification (EX-Q) for Longitudinal Measurements of Food Intake in Drosophila

Longitudinal measurements of food intake remain a challenge in Drosophila studies of nutrition and behavior. Here, we report an improved method for measuring fly food intake using dye-labeled food and excreta quantification (EX-Q). Reducing the surface area of the medium maximized excreta recovery and the accuracy in estimating total consumption. The EX-Q method is compatible with agar-based medium and makes it possible to measure consumption over an extended period and at multiple time points without sacrificing flies. Using EX-Q, we revealed nutrient- and age-specific features of Drosophila feeding behavior. Daily consumption of a chemically defined diet was relatively consistent over the first 25 days of adulthood. Omitting amino acids or vitamins from the diet reduced consumption in both sexes, whereas omitting sugars or cholesterol primarily affected female food intake. Our results demonstrate EX-Q as a simple, reliable, and nondestructive method for longitudinal studies of solid food intake in Drosophila.