
Community identification
Fruit fly
Drosophila melanogaster
- Order & Family
- Order Diptera, Family Drosophilidae
- Size
- 3 to 4 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Near ripening or fermenting organic matter such as fruit, vegetables, and drains
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on fermenting liquids, yeasts, and organic sugars from decaying vegetation
Behavior Patterns
Swift reproduction cycles; attracted to light and fermentation odors; often seen hovering over fruit bowls
Risks & Benefits
Potential risk of contaminating food with bacteria; beneficial in scientific research as a model organism