Environmental Factors Affecting Fruit Flies

Fruit Flies

• Drosophila melanogaster is the scientific name given to fruit flies. They are similar to ordinary flies in that they have three body parts (a head, thorax and abdomen), six legs and wings. They also lay eggs that produce maggots. However, fruit flies are much smaller than ordinary flies --- about 1/8 inch in length on average. Fruit fly physiology is often studied under a microscope so scientists can observe different variations in a fly's wing shape, color patterning and body shape.

Temperature and Fruit Flies

• Fruit flies are highly sensitive organisms which can be affected by shifts in their surrounding environment, especially the temperature. Fruit flies become dormant when exposed to temperatures below 62 degrees. They seem to function most optimally when the overall temperature increases above 74 degrees. But when the temperature exceeds 84 degrees, female fruit flies stop laying eggs, and when temperatures exceed 95 degrees, fruit flies cease their activity.

Chemicals and Fruit Flies

• Fruit flies react to chemicals in a similar way to humans, which makes them useful to researchers who wish to understand how chemicals will affect people. Scientists use fruit flies in experiments to see how they react to addictive substances like caffeine, alcohol and habit-forming stimulants. The fruit fly's short lifespan and rapid reproduction also make this animal helpful to geneticists to see what the long-term effects of chemical exposure are to the genetic makeup of this organism, and concurrently to people.

Altitude and Fruit Flies

• Fruit flies living at higher altitudes respond to this environmental factor by having darker coloring than flies living at lower altitudes. The thinness of the air at altitudes like those of the European Alpines causes fruit flies to move more sluggishly, and reduces their flight performance. Other environmental factors that affect fruit flies are whether they are able to receive enough food and water.