Fruit fly
Scientific Name: 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
Identified on: 2/20/2026