Fruit Fly (Vinegar Fly)

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in residential kitchens, restaurants, and grocery stores where fermenting organic matter is present.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on the yeast and fungal growth found on overripe, rotting, or fermenting fruits and vegetables.

Behavior Patterns

Attracted to the smell of acetic acid (vinegar). They have extremely fast reproductive cycles, often reaching adulthood from eggs in about 8-10 days.

Risks & Benefits

Generally considered a nuisance pest that can contaminate food with bacteria. In science, they are highly beneficial as a primary model organism for genetic research.

Identified on: 1/15/2026