Hobbies And Interests
Appearance
Fruit flies are small and oval shaped and approximately 1/8 inch long. Their color can be described as yellowish tan. They have six legs, wings and short antennae. The insect's body is made up of three segments. Their heads have large red eyes. Females are slightly larger than males. The mouths of fruit flies have spongelike lobes, which make it easier for them to lap up liquids.
Food
The name of fruit flies comes from the fact that they feed primarily upon fruits and vegetables that are decaying. On the continent of North America, cherries, apples and blueberries are greatly damaged by these flies, according to The Columbia Encyclopedia. The flies also lay their eggs on this fruit, and the resulting larvae use the rotting plants as a source of nutrition.
Habitat
Fruit flies can be found on every continent in locations where garbage has been permitted to accumulate. They are also found in facilities that process food like homes, restaurants and schools. Orchards, vineyards and fruit cellars can also become infested with fruit flies.
Life Span
On average, the expected life span for fruit flies is 33 days for males and 26 days for females, according to the University of Arizona Center for Insect Science. Environmental conditions like temperature and availability of food impact how long the flies can live. High elevations, colder temperatures and high latitudes can all reduce the life expectancy of fruit flies.
Reproduction
Fruit flies are able to reproduce rapidly. One pair of fruit flies is able to produce hundreds of offspring within a matter of weeks, according to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. These offspring are then sexually mature and able to also reproduce within one week's time.