Fruit Fly

Natural Habitat

Often found in kitchens, restaurants, and other areas where ripe or fermenting fruits and vegetables are present. They are attracted to moist, decaying organic matter.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on a variety of fermenting fruits and vegetables, as well as sugary liquids and other organic decay. Larvae feed on the yeasts associated with decaying matter.

Behavior Patterns

Fruit flies have a rapid life cycle, completing development from egg to adult in about 8-15 days. They are known for their strong attraction to volatile organic compounds emitted by ripening and fermenting produce. They lay eggs on or near decaying organic material.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can be a nuisance pest in homes and commercial settings. While not known to transmit diseases to humans, they can contaminate food with bacteria and microorganisms from their breeding sites. Benefits: Widely used in scientific research, particularly in genetics and developmental biology, due to their short generation time and ease of rearing.

Identified on: 11/9/2025