Fruit fly

Natural Habitat

Often found around ripening or rotting fruits and vegetables, kitchens, and other areas with fermenting organic matter.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on yeast found in fermenting fruits and vegetables. Larvae feed on the microorganisms and sugars from these decaying materials.

Behavior Patterns

Fruit flies are attracted to fermenting sugars. They have a short life cycle (about 8-15 days from egg to adult). Females lay eggs on overripe fruit. They are known for their rapid reproduction and ability to quickly infest a food source.

Risks & Benefits

Generally considered a nuisance pest in homes and food establishments. While not known to transmit diseases to humans, they can contaminate food with bacteria and other pathogens from their feet and bodies. Scientifically, they are a very important model organism in genetics and developmental biology research.

Identified on: 9/13/2025