Fruit fly

Typically found in kitchens near ripening or fermenting fruit, trash cans, and damp areas.

Larvae eat sugary, organic material; adults feed on juices of decaying fruit and vegetables.

Drawn to fermenting organic matter. Known for a short life cycle that can be completed in about 8-10 days in ideal temperatures.

Generally considered a nuisance pest that can contaminate food with bacteria. They are invaluable to scientific research in genetics and developmental biology.