Fruit fly

Widely distributed worldwide; commonly found in kitchens, gardens, and near rotting organic matter where fermentation occurs.

Primarily feeds on yeast, sugar, and rotting or over-ripe fruits and vegetables.

Attracted to the smell of fermentation; high reproductive rate; short life cycle often completing in 8-10 days under warm conditions.

Risk: Considered a common household nuisance and can contaminate food with bacteria. Benefit: Historically one of the most important model organisms in genetics and developmental biology research.