Fruit Fly

Found globally in association with human habitats, particularly in kitchens, gardens, and food processing facilities with fermenting organic matter.

Primarily feeds on fermenting sugars from overripe fruit, vegetables, and the yeast and bacteria growing on decaying organic matter.

Attracted to the smell of fermentation; they have a fast life cycle of approximately 8-10 days and are most active during the day, particularly at dawn and dusk.

While they do not bite or sting, they are considered a nuisance pest and can potentially contaminate food with bacteria; however, they are invaluable to science as a genetic model organism.