Brief guide to Drosophila maintenance and husbandry

Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful genetic model organism due to its short life cycle, simple husbandry, and versatile genetic toolkit. Reliable experimental outcomes, however, depend on standardized husbandry and stock maintenance practices that are often underemphasized in research protocols. Here, we provide a concise, practical guide covering essential procedures for Drosophila culture conditions, anesthetization, phenotypic sorting, genetic crosses, developmental synchronization, and use of stock center resources. By documenting the standard methodologies and practices, this guide aims to help researchers, particularly trainees and newcomers, establish and maintain healthy fly stocks and minimize common pitfalls. These standardized practices will improve reproducibility and enable more effective use of the extensive genetic resources available in Drosophila research, thereby enhancing its utility across diverse fields of biology.