Fruit Fly

Worldwide distribution, commonly found in homes, restaurants, and food processing facilities near ripening fruit and vegetable matter.

Primarily feeds on fermenting sugars from overripe fruits and vegetables, as well as the yeast that grows on these decaying surfaces.

Attracted to light and fermented odors; they have a very fast life cycle, developing from egg to adult in about 8-10 days in warm environments.

While they do not bite or sting, they are considered nuisance pests that can contaminate food with bacteria and pathogens; they are extensively used as beneficial model organisms in genetic research.