Fruit Fly

Typically found in homes, grocery stores, and restaurants near ripening or decaying fruit and moist organic matter.

Larvae and adults feed on yeast and bacteria associated with decaying fruit and fermenting organic materials.

Drawn to the smell of fermentation; they have a very rapid life cycle (approx. 8-10 days), often leading to sudden infestations. Most active during the day.

While they do not bite, they can contaminate food with bacteria and pathogens. In science, they are highly beneficial as a model organism for genetic and developmental research.