Hemolymph Extraction in \u3ci\u3eDrosophila Melanogaster\u3c/i\u3e

Extraction of hemolymph from the fly is done by using a device composed of rubber tubbing, luer-locks, and pipet tips involving air pressure, as well. The air pressure guides the fly through the rubber tubbing and into the pipet tip, head first. The luer-locks are adjusted to apply the air pressure to only the pipet tip. One the fly is lodged into the end of the pipet tip, the antenna of the fly is removed and a little bit of air pressure is applied to push the hemolymph out of hole created by removing the antenna. This method will standardize the extraction of hemolymph by taking out the human factor of applying pressure and allowing air pressure to do the work. To record the amount of hemolymph extracted, the hemolymph drop gets transferred to hydrated paraffin oil. A picture is taken of the hemolymph drop in the oil and a volume calculation is performed