Fruit fly identification (Drosophila spp.)


Insect identifier · Often confused insects

How to identify a Fruit fly

Drosophila spp.
· Also called vinegar fly, gnat

Fruit fly identification photo

People search “fruit fly” because it looks like something that bites. Fruit fly (Drosophila spp.) does not bite or sting people. Also called vinegar fly, gnat.

The cloud over the bowl is not what bit your ankle.

What does a fruit fly look like?

Fruit fly is About 3 mm. Colors: brown, tan, red. Marks: Tiny; Red eyes on many; Hovers over fruit; No beak.

Fruit fly is About 3 mm. Colors: brown, tan, red. Marks: Tiny; Red eyes on many; Hovers over fruit; No beak.

Identification marks

  • Tiny
  • Red eyes on many
  • Hovers over fruit
  • No beak

Size: About 3 mm
Colors: brown, tan, red
Where: indoor

Fruit fly vs No-see-um

Kitchen and bananas = fruit fly. Dusk marsh bite = no-see-um.

Range and season

Active year-round in kitchens. Places: kitchen. The fly on the bananas. Does not bite. Fungus gnats are the ones at houseplants.

Kitchens.

The fly on the bananas. Does not bite. Fungus gnats are the ones at houseplants.

Year-round in kitchens

Common questions

Do fruit flies bite?

No.

Fruit fly vs no-see-um?

Fruit flies are in the kitchen on fruit. No-see-ums bite outdoors at dusk.

Related identification pages