Fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster)

Size:

• Body length: 2 to 4 mm
• Wingspan: approximately 5 to 7 mm

Look:

• Yellowish to light brown body
• Red compound eyes (typical for the species)
• Transparent wings
• Males are usually slightly darker and smaller than females.

Way of life:

• Active at room temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius
• They react strongly to fermenting smells (fruit, vinegar, wine, beer)
• They usually stay near food sources.
• Active during the day and at dusk

Reproduction:

• Egg laying on fermenting organic substances (fruits, waste, residues)
• Development from egg to fly in 7 to 12 days
• The female lays up to 400 eggs.
• Several generations per month under ideal conditions

Breeding sites:

• Overripe fruit, fruit peels, vegetable waste
• Leftover juice, wine, beer, vinegar bottles
• Sinks, drains, organic waste
• Juice press, bowls, cans and opened bottles

Nutrition:

• Fermenting or rotting plant matter
• Yeast fungi on fruit surfaces
• Sugary drinks and leftovers
• Vinegar- and alcohol-containing liquids

Behave:

• Very loyal to the breeding site
• Quick orientation via sense of smell
• They often sit on the rims of glasses, trash cans, or fruit baskets.
• They can also hatch in damp sponges or cleaning cloths if hygiene is poor.

Psychological stress:

• Visible appearance is unhygienic and disturbing.
• Negative impression on guests, patients or customers
• A sign of poor hygiene or lack of cleanliness

Rapid reproduction:

• Mass occurrence within a few days at undiscovered breeding sites
• Larval development also occurs in areas that are difficult to see.
• Frequent reinfestation due to insufficient cleaning

Disease transmission:

• Not a direct disease vector, but a vector for yeasts and microorganisms.
• Risk of microbial contamination in cases of high colonization

Hygiene measures:

• Use ripe fruit and vegetables quickly or store them in a cool place.
• Always close leftover juice, wine bottles, and vinegar containers.
• Empty and clean waste containers daily
• Keep drains, sinks and cloths hygienically dry.

Building protection:

• Insect screens on windows and doors
• Automatic door closers, airlocks or louvered curtains at warehouse entrances
• Use light traps or UV flypaper in a targeted manner

Monitoring and control:

• Set up fruit fly traps with apple cider vinegar and dish soap
• Visual inspection of fruit storage areas, counters and return areas
• Reduce humidity in storage rooms

Behave:

• Always close storage containers tightly.
• Do not leave fruit uncovered.
• Never leave coffee grounds, tea leaves, or juices in open containers.