Fruit Fly

Worldwide, commonly found in kitchens, garbage areas, and near decaying organic matter.

Feeds on yeast that grows on decaying or fermenting fruits and vegetables.

Attracted to the smell of fermentation; highly active during the day. They have a very rapid life cycle, maturing from egg to adult in about 8-10 days.

Generally considered a nuisance pest in homes. They can potentially contaminate food with bacteria (like E. coli or Salmonella) picked up from sanitation issues, but are invaluable in biological research and genetics.