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Life Span of Fruit Fly

The average natural life span of fruit fly adults in optimal temperatures is 30 days. However, female fruit flies are capable of mating and laying several batches of eggs in that time, allowing the fruit fly population in a home to multiply quickly. The life span of the fruit fly is heavily influenced by temperature: their lives will be shortened if temperatures fall below 60 degrees or rise above 85 degrees. 

The fruit fly's life cycle begins when the female lays her eggs on a piece of   fermenting fruit or other decaying, sweet organic material. She can lay up to 500 eggs at one time, making it difficult to control the population. After eggs hatch into small, white larvae, they eat from their nesting site for four days, absorbing the nutrients and energy needed to transform into adults.

Larvae then locate dark, dry places for pupation. During this stage, the legless, larvae grow six legs and a pair of wings before emerging as adults. Full pupation takes approximately four days. During this time, the faint outline of the transforming fly is visible through the pupa case. Following pupation, adult fruit flies are ready to mate within 12 hours and the courting process begins anew.

Fruit Fly Eggs

Fruit Fly Larvae

Fruit Fly Metamorphosis

Fruit Fly Reproduction Rates Data

Fruit Fly Pupae