Drosophilids

Drosophilidae, commonly called drosophilids or fruit flies, is a diverse family of small flies in the order Diptera. The group comprises roughly 4,000 described species in around 70 genera, distributed worldwide in a range of habitats from forests to human-associated fruit and fermentation sites. The best known member is Drosophila melanogaster, a core model organism in biology.

Taxonomy and genera: The family contains multiple genera, with Drosophila being the most familiar. The genus Drosophila contains more than a thousand described species, including D. melanogaster and D. simulans.

Ecology and biology: Drosophilids are typically small (about 2-4 mm). They breed in fermenting fruit or vegetable matter; larvae feed on yeast and microbes. They undergo complete metamorphosis: egg, three larval instars, pupa, and adult. Life cycle durations depend on temperature; at 25C, a generation can be as short as 8-12 days. They are attracted to rotting fruit by odors, and many species play roles in nutrient cycling.

Role in science and agriculture: D. melanogaster has long been a leading model in genetics, development, neuroscience, and aging; its genome is compact and well annotated, with extensive genetic tools and community resources. Other drosophilids such as D. suzukii, the spotted wing drosophila, are significant agricultural pests because females lay eggs in ripening fruits, causing crop losses.

Laboratory and resources: In research, standard laboratory strains, transgenic lines, and mutant collections are available; the species’ short generation time and ease of rearing contribute to its utility. Ongoing studies explore evolution, speciation, and ecological diversification.