Bug Identifier
Fruit fly
Community identification

Fruit fly

Drosophila melanogaster

Order & Family
Order Diptera, Family Drosophilidae
Size
3 to 4 mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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