Fruit Fly Larva

Found near decaying organic matter, overripe fruit, drains, and damp kitchen areas.

Feeds on yeast, bacteria, and sugar within fermenting or decaying fruits and vegetables.

The larva (maggot) spends its time tunneling through food sources to feed; it undergoes several molts before crawling to a dry area to pupate.

Risk: Can contaminate food with bacteria (though generally not dangerous). Benefit: Key model organism in biological and genetic research.