Fruit fly (Drosophila)

Natural Habitat

Found globally in households, specifically kitchens, bathrooms, and near damp areas with organic material.

Diet & Feeding

Feed on overripe or rotting fruits and vegetables, and the fungi or yeast growing on fermenting organic matter.

Behavior Patterns

Attracted to light and fermented scents; high reproductive rate. They lay eggs in moist organic matter like drain film or ripened fruit. Adults typically live for 40 to 50 days.

Risks & Benefits

Primarily a nuisance pest; they do not bite humans but can mechanically transfer bacteria from waste to food surfaces. They are extensively used as beneficial model organisms in genetic and biological research.

Identified on: 3/10/2026