Fruit Fly

Typically found in homes, grocery stores, and restaurants, especially near overripe fruit or fermenting organic matter.

Feeds on yeast growing on fermenting fruits and vegetables as well as sugary liquids like juice, soda, and vinegar.

Drawn to the smell of fermentation; they have a very rapid life cycle, often developing from egg to adult in about 8-10 days. They are most active during the day.

Primarily a nuisance pest that can contaminate food with bacteria (like E. coli or Salmonella); however, they are immensely beneficial to science as a key model organism for genetics and biological research.