[Objectives]  To investigate the effects of high population density on the development of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen and the potential for blueberry anthocyanins (BAC) and vitamin C (VC) to reduce density-associated stress. [Methods]  The effects on development, stress response, and oxidative stress, of flies at high population density, with and without BAC or VC, was studied. [Results]  Results show that the duration of the pupal stage increased, body weight and female-male ratio decreased, HSP70 expressional increased, and MDA levels declined, with increasing density. BAC significantly increased the number of pupae, shortened the duration of the pupal stage, and reduced HSP70 expression and MDA levels. Neither VC nor BAC had any significant effects on body weight or pupal duration, however, treatment with VC balanced the female-male ratio. HSP70 expression and MDA significantly decreased following VC and BAC treatment, whereas CAT and SOD activity were significantly increased by VC treatment, but only slightly affected by BAC treatment. Female flies were more sensitive to density and VC and BAC had a more beneficial effect on female than male flies under high population density. [Conclusion]  High population density prolonged the pupal stage, reduced body weight and decreased the ratio of females to males in the population. These effects are likely to be related to the inducement of the stress response and oxidative damage. However, VC and BAC can reduce the negative effects of crowding by reducing the stress response and oxidative damage.