Fruit fly or Gnat
Scientific Name: Drosophila melanogaster (Fruit Fly) or Sciaridae (Gnat)
Order & Family: Order: Diptera; Families: Drosophilidae or Sciaridae
Size: 2mm to 4mm in length
Natural Habitat
Moist environments, decaying organic matter, overripe fruit, or damp potting soil indoors.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on fungi, algae, and rotting plant material; adults consume liquid sugars from fermenting fruit or nectar.
Behavior Patterns
Attracted to light and moisture; rapid reproduction cycles with larvae developing in damp organic debris before emerging as flying adults.
Risks & Benefits
Generally considered nuisance pests. While they do not bite or transmit major diseases to humans directly, they can contaminate food with bacteria. They provide a benefit to the ecosystem by aiding in the decomposition of organic matter.
Identified on: 2/26/2026