Drosophilidae

Drosophilidae is a family of small flies within the order Diptera, commonly known as the fruit flies. The family comprises more than 4,000 described species across numerous genera, with the genus Drosophila being the best known. Members are found worldwide and occupy a range of habitats, often associated with fermenting plant material. The most famous species is Drosophila melanogaster, widely used in scientific research.

Adults are typically about 2 to 5 millimeters long. They are usually slender with bristly bodies, large compound eyes (often red), and a set of wings with venation characteristic of the group. The antennae carry an arista, a common feature in many Diptera. Drosophilidae undergo complete metamorphosis, producing eggs that hatch into larvae, which feed on yeasts and microorganisms on decaying fruit or other organic substrates, then pupate before emerging as adults.

Ecology and distribution vary across the family. Drosophilids are common in ripening fruit, fungi, and other decaying plant matter, in natural and human-modified environments. They play a role in decomposition and nutrient cycling and serve as prey for other organisms. Some species are agricultural pests, notably Drosophila suzukii, which lays eggs in fresh fruit and can damage crops.

Significance in science is high due to the genus Drosophila, particularly D. melanogaster, as a model organism in genetics, developmental biology, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology. Its short generation time, ease of laboratory culture, and extensive genetic tools have made it central to numerous foundational discoveries and ongoing research.