Family Drosophilidae - Vinegar Flies

Pomace Flies; Fruit Flies

Drosophilidae Rondani 1856

~180 spp.(1) in 18 genera of 2 subfamilies in our area(2), ~4,000 spp. in ~80 genera total(3)

2.5-4.5 mm

Usually yellowish in color. Wings with a break in costal vein near junction of subcosta. Eyes usually red.

Lauxaniidae versus Drosophilidae: The easiest character to look for is the strong bristles on the frons (top of the head right above the eye). In most of our lauxaniids, there will be two strong bristles above each eye, both facing backwards. Drosophilids usually have one strong bristle facing backward, often a weaker one facing backward just in front of the strong one, but usually a fairly strong one facing forward as well. Many drosophilids have long rays on the arista of the antenna, while in most lauxaniids the arista is bare or has very short hairs. (Comment by Terry Wheeler)

Helpful notes. Go to Flickr and hover the mouse over the image:

Usually around decaying vegetation and fruit.

Decaying fruit and fungi also fresh sap and nectar from flowers. Some are ectoparasitic or predaceous on mealybugs and small Homoptera.