FRUIT FLIES (Drosophila spp.)

Drosophila hydei (large)

Drosophila melanogaster (small)

Fruit flies (Drosophila spp.) are small, fast-reproducing insects commonly found around ripening or fermenting fruit and other organic materials. They belong to the family Drosophilidae and are especially well known in science, as species like Drosophila melanogaster are widely used in genetics and biological research.

Adult fruit flies are typically 2–4 mm long, with tan or yellowish-brown bodies, bright red eyes, and transparent wings. They are attracted to sugary substances, including overripe fruit, spilled juices, and decaying plant matter. Their life cycle is rapid, often completing in about 8–10 days under warm conditions, which allows populations to grow quickly.

Female fruit flies lay their eggs on moist, fermenting surfaces. The eggs hatch into larvae (maggots), which feed on microorganisms such as yeast before developing into pupae and eventually emerging as adults. Because of their quick reproduction and simple genetic structure, fruit flies have become an essential model organism in the study of inheritance,