Fruit fly larva (maggot)

Natural Habitat

Overripe or decaying fruit, vegetables, and organic waste material in kitchens and garbage bins.

Diet & Feeding

Yeasts and fungi growing on fermenting organic matter; they burrow into soft sugary materials to feed.

Behavior Patterns

The larva hatches from an egg and feeds constantly, undergoing three molts (instars) before crawling to a dry surface to pupate. The entire life cycle can be completed in approximately 10 days.

Risks & Benefits

Generally considered a nuisance pest in homes. While not medically harmful, they can spread bacteria between organic waste sources and food preparation surfaces. They are a critical model organism in biological and genetic research.

Identified on: 3/3/2026