Fruit Fly
Drosophila melanogaster
Tiny, red-eyed, and endlessly hovering, fruit flies are a familiar nuisance in homes, restaurants, and bars. Despite their minute size, they are notoriously persistent due to an incredibly fast breeding cycle.
About this species
Fruit flies are named for their primary target: they are irresistibly drawn to fermenting sugars. You’ll often see them in a characteristic slow, hovering flight around fruit bowls, wine glasses, trash bins, and recycling containers.
Image by Hannah Davis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where they breed
Their breeding sites are as small as their appetites. They lay eggs directly on or near overripe produce, but also thrive in the film inside garbage disposals, beverage cans in recycling, damp mop heads, and even a spilled drip of juice under a refrigerator. A single forgotten piece of fruit or a dirty drain can sustain an entire population.
Identification
Size:
1/8 inch (3 mm) long
Color:
Tan to brownish-yellow body
Image by André Karwath aka Aka, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Key ID Features:
- Distinctive bright red eyes
- Slightly rounded body shape