Vinegar Fly

The Vinegar Fly is a small, yellowish fly with distinct red eyes and is commonly seen around rotting fruit.

Vinegar fly, (genus Drosophila), also called pomace fly or small fruit fly, any member of a genus in the small fruit fly family, Drosophilidae (order Diptera). Drosophila species number about 1,500. Some species, particularly D. melanogaster, are used extensively in laboratory and field experiments on genetics and evolution because they are easy to raise and have a short life cycle (less than two weeks at room temperature). More studies have been conducted concerning the genetics of the vinegar fly than have been obtained for any other animal. Drosophila chromosomes, especially the giant chromosomes found in the salivary glands of mature larvae, are used in studies involving heritable characteristics and the basis for gene action.

The biology of Drosophila in its natural habitats is not well known. The larvae of some species live in rotting or damaged fruits. In these species the adults are strongly attracted to, and feed on, fermenting plant juices. In other species the larvae develop in fungi or in fleshy flowers.

Habitat

The Vinegar Fly is found in urban areas.

Distribution

The Vinegar Fly is found throughout Australia.

Feeding and diet

The Vinegar Fly is not actually a fruit fly as it does not feed on fruit directly, just the yeasts associated with rotting fruit. The name ‘fruit fly’ is more correctly applied to flies in the family Tephritidae. The larvae feed on the bacteria and yeast found in rotting fruit.

Economic impacts

The Vinegar Fly is commonly found in genetics laboratories around the world. This is probably the most studied of all animals (besides humans) and has contributed greatly to our understanding of genetics. Its short life cycle of only a couple of weeks makes it ideal for genetic research.

The larvae can cause great problems for wineries and fruit-juice producers.

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(source – Australian Museum | Britannica)

vinegar fly pest nett