Fruit fly

Widely distributed worldwide; commonly found in kitchens, gardens, compost piles, and near fermenting organic matter.

Primarily feeds on yeast growing on fermenting fruits and vegetables; also consumes rotting organic material.

Attracted to the smell of fermentation; highly active during the day; rapid life cycle from egg to adult in about 8-10 days at room temperature; known for hovering in small groups.

Risks: nuisances in households, potential contamination of food with bacteria. Benefits: critical model organism in genetic and biological research.