Drosophila melanogaster is a species of fly in the family Drosophilidae. The species is often referred to as the fruit fly or lesser fruit fly, or less commonly the “vinegar fly”, “pomace fly”, or “banana fly”. They are the smallest of the fruit fly cultures measuring about 1/16″ in size.
Many animals eat Drosophila melanogaster including:
- Spiders: Spin webs to trap fruit flies
- Frogs: A common predator of fruit flies
- Predaceous wasps: A common predator of fruit fly larvae and pupae
- Crickets: A common predator of fruit fly larvae and pupae
- Ant and beetle larvae: Eat fruit flies
- Staphylinid beetles: Eat fruit flies
- Small reptiles: Prey upon fruit flies
Small-trap carnivorous plants like sundews, butterworts, venus flytraps, cephalotus, and pitcher plants also eat fruit flies.
Drosophila Hydei fruit flies are a type of flightless fruit fly that are often used as food for small pets. They are larger than melanogaster fruit flies, measuring about 1/8″ in size.
Many animals eat hydei fruit flies, including:
- Reptiles and amphibians: Dart frogs, baby tree frogs, young toads, and hatchling chameleons
- Invertebrates: Praying mantises, adult jumping spiders, micro geckos, and baby viper geckos
- Fish: Some fish eat hydei fruit flies