About Fruit Fly
Fruit flies (Drosophila spp.) are 3–4 mm tan flies with characteristically bright red eyes that breed in fermenting fruits, vegetables, and organic residue inside floor drains and garbage receptacles. Their life cycle from egg to adult takes just 8–10 days at room temperature, meaning populations appear seemingly overnight. While a kitchen nuisance, they are generally not significant disease vectors. Drosophila melanogaster is simultaneously one of the world's most important biological model organisms, contributing foundational discoveries in genetics, developmental biology, and neuroscience since Thomas Hunt Morgan's experiments in 1908.
Geographic Distribution
This insect is found across North America, with notable populations in Canada and surrounding regions.
Management
If you suspect a Fruit Fly problem, consult our recommended exterminator services or browse our full pest species database for related species and control guidance.