Drosophila, the common fruit fly is widely used in genetic studies. Ward's offers a large number of mutations to help you demonstrate complex genetics concepts.

Help your students to understand sex-linked, dominant and recessive modes of inheritance, using any of the many mutant fly lines we have available. All cultures come with a mixture of male and female flies of various ages to ensure culture health.

White (w) is a recessive mutation that causes the flies to have eyes that are un-pigmented, appearing white in color, rather than the bright red of a wild-type fly.
Apricot (a) is a recessive mutation that causes the flies to have eyes that are apricot in color, rather than the bright red of a wild-type fly.
Ruby (rb) is a recessive mutation that causes the flies to have eyes that are dark red, ruby-colored.
Vermillion (v) is a recessive mutation that causes the flies to have eyes that are bright red color.
Bar (B) is a dominant mutation that causes the flies to have reduced numbers of eye facets, so their eyes are thinner than normal. A wild-type fly's eye is very round, these are 'bar-like'.
Miniature (m) is a recessive mutation that causes flies to have wings that are smaller than normal. They are only slightly longer than the abdomen, whereas a wild-type fly's wings stick out much farther. Miniature' flies wings have normal proportions, but appear dark gray and less transparent than a wild-type fly.
Forked (f) is a recessive mutation that causes the flies to have body-bristles that are forked at the ends, rather than straight and pointed as in a wild-type fly.
White-Yellow (w; y) is combination of two recessive mutations causing the flies to have white eyes and yellow bodies.
White-Miniature-Yellow (w; m; y) is a combination of three recessive mutations, causing the flies to have white eyes, smaller than usual wings, and yellow bodies.
Yellow-Forked-Attached-White Males have white eyes, a wild-type body color and wings. Females have wild-type eyes, a yellow body with forked bristles, and normal wings.