Drosophila melanogaster
The "Vinegar Fly", "Pomace Fly", "Wine Fly", "Grape Fly", and the "Pickled Fruit Fly"
Author: Phillip N. Appiah
Used with permission from Univ. Calif. Statewide IPM Project, J.K. Clark, photographer
TAXONOMY
Insecta
Diptera
Drosophilidae
Drosophilinae
Drosophila
melanogaster
IDENTIFICATION:
The earliest recorded reference to Drosophila in scientific literature dates back to 1684. About 384 citations can be found between that time and 1900. Drosophila melanogaster was actually first used in 1901 as a research organism by W. E. Castle. Castle used D. melanogaster (at the time D. ampelophila) in inbreeding experiments and developed a banana-based medium which was used for a long time afterwards (Powell, 1997). Drosophila melanogaster, like all other Drosophila undergoes 4 basic stages of development. The first stage is the egg (Fig A.), the second is the larva (Fig B.), the third is the pupa (Fig C.), and the final stage is the adult (Fig D.). D. melanogaster lasts for about 24 hours in the egg stage, after which the larva hatches. The larva will molt twice during which it sheds its cuticles, mouth hooks and spiracles over a period of about 7 days. The 3 larval stages between these moltings are called to as instars. It is during the third instar that the cuticle that surrounds the larva begins to harded and forms the puparium. The pupal stage lasts for about 6 days. From this a young fly emerges. Adult flies may live for several weeks (Flagg, 1973). Fig A. EGG Fig B. INSTAR Fig C. PUPA Fig D. ADULT Images scanned by author from Shorrocks, 1972. The identification guide on the main page gives the distinct features specific to D. melanogaster.
The earliest recorded reference to Drosophila in scientific literature dates back to 1684. About 384 citations can be found between that time and 1900. Drosophila melanogaster was actually first used in 1901 as a research organism by W. E. Castle. Castle used D. melanogaster (at the time D. ampelophila) in inbreeding experiments and developed a banana-based medium which was used for a long time afterwards (Powell, 1997).
Drosophila melanogaster, like all other Drosophila undergoes 4 basic stages of development. The first stage is the egg (Fig A.), the second is the larva (Fig B.), the third is the pupa (Fig C.), and the final stage is the adult (Fig D.). D. melanogaster lasts for about 24 hours in the egg stage, after which the larva hatches. The larva will molt twice during which it sheds its cuticles, mouth hooks and spiracles over a period of about 7 days. The 3 larval stages between these moltings are called to as instars. It is during the third instar that the cuticle that surrounds the larva begins to harded and forms the puparium. The pupal stage lasts for about 6 days. From this a young fly emerges. Adult flies may live for several weeks (Flagg, 1973).
Fig A.
EGG
Fig B.
INSTAR
Fig C.
PUPA
Fig D.
ADULT
Images scanned by author from Shorrocks, 1972.
The identification guide on the main page gives the distinct features specific to D. melanogaster.
GEOGRAPHY:
Parsons, 1973
Powell, 1997
Drosophila melanogaster is described as a species that is widely associated with man (Parsons, 1973). It is for this reason that it can probably be found in many if not all of the environments listed above. The published information on its exact location in relation to these areas is lacking. It is, however, safe to assume that areas with high human populations in these geographic locations will have populations of D. melanogaster associated with them.
NATURAL HISTORY:
"Vinegar flies may become a nuisance in homes, restaurants, fruit markets, canneries, etc., especially when associated with decaying orrotting fruit and vegetables. Indoors, flies may be seen hovering around overripe fruit and vegetables, baked goods containing yeast,garbage cans and beverages such as fruit juices, cider, soft drinks, beer, wine and vinegar. Sometimes a rotten banana, potato, tomato,onion, melon, squash, pineapple or apple, dirty garbage receptacle, unclean sour mop or dishcloth, empty tomato catsup bottle, or drainwater in refrigerators or iceboxes can yield a heavy population of these flies. Outdoors, they become numerous during summer andautumn where fruit and vegetables are harvested and then suddenly disappear when cold weather arrives. Some species are attracted tohuman and animal excrement, also feeding on fruits and uncooked foods, serving as a disease carrier" (William F. Lyon, Ohio State University Extention Facsheet).
HOW TO ENCOUNTER:
As stated before, D. melanogaster populations are associated with humans. They can be found almost anywhere a sizeable human population exists. Natural populations of D. melanogaster can be found in North Carolina (Parsons, 1973). The species has migrated all over the United States as humans have also migrated and is can almost be considered a natural occurance everywhere. There are however several naturally occuring species that have yet to be described or discovered that can be found in the Hawaiian islands (Powell, 1997).
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