Orkin Exterminator & Termite Control

Fruit Fly Colors

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster possesses disproportionately large, vividly colored eyes. These range in color from red to sepia to white and indicate a great deal about the fly's genetic makeup. Most fruit flies bred in the wild have red eyes. Brown and sepia eyes are a result of a recessive gene and only occur when two sepia-eyed flies mate. White, vermillion and cinnabar-eyed fruit flies result from mutations and are far less common.

Because fruit flies are genetically simple insects and have rapid life cycles, they are ideal subjects for biological study. Particularly in genetic experiments, fruit flies provide researchers with extremely useful information. Fruit fly phenotypes manifest prominently, resulting in red, sepia and white-eyed flies. In rare cases, eyeless flies are produced through genetic experimentation. Other genetic mutations are obvious in male-female ratios and wing shape.

While white-eyed fruit flies are genetic anomalies, they are relatively common in science classrooms and laboratories. The white-eyed fruit fly gene is recessive and typically is eliminated after mating with dominant-eyed fruit flies for two generations. White eyed fruit flies that mate with other white-eyed fruit flies will produce white-eyed offspring.

Fruit Fly

Where Do Fruit Flies Come From

Fruit Fly Behavior

Fruit Fly Predators

Fruit Fly Facts

Drosophila Fruit Fly

Fruit Fly Problem

Fruit Fly Culture

Fruit Fly Gnat