
Community identification
Fruit fly (specifically Vinegar fly)
Drosophila melanogaster
- Order & Family
- Order: Diptera; Family: Drosophilidae
- Size
- 3-4 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Near ripening or fermenting organic matter such as fruits, vegetables, and drains; common in kitchens and food processing areas.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on yeast cells and sugar found in overripe or rotting fruit and other fermenting materials.
Behavior Patterns
Attracted to the smell of fermentation; high reproductive rate where females can lay hundreds of eggs; undergo complete metamorphosis from egg to adult in about 8-10 days.
Risks & Benefits
Generally considered a nuisance pest that can contaminate food with bacteria; however, they are invaluable to science as a primary model organism for genetics and biological research.