Fruit Fly

Worldwide distribution, commonly found in kitchens, gardens, and composting areas near decaying organic matter.

Liquid or semi-liquid organic matter, specifically fermenting fruits and vegetables, and the yeasts/bacteria growing on them.

Active year-round indoors; nocturnal and diurnal but most active at dawn and dusk. They have a very rapid life cycle, often completing a generation in 7 to 10 days.

Risks include being a nuisance and potentially cross-contaminating food with bacteria. Benefits include being a vital model organism for genetic and developmental research in science.