Common Fruit Fly

Drosophila melanogaster is a species of fly in the family Drosophilidae. The species is often referred to as the fruit fly or lesser fruit fly, or less commonly the "vinegar fly", "pomace fly", or "banana fly". D. melanogaster is attracted to rotting fruit and fermenting beverages and is often found in orchards, kitchens, and pubs. Scientific Name: Drosophila melanogaster Range: Worldwide Size: 2.5 mm Status: Common ID Notes: Tiny tan fly with bright red eyes. Males have black tip on abdomen and 'sex combs' on front tarsi. Behavior / Notes: The geneticist's model organism since 1908 — the basis for 8 Nobel Prizes including discoveries of chromosomes, genetic linkage, and innate immunity.