Difference between revisions of "Fruit fly"
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[[Image:Female_Mexican_fruit_fly.jpg|thumb|200px|Female Mexican fruit fly]]The name '''fruit flies''' can apply to any [[fly]] of the family ''Tephritidae''. More commonly, however, it refers to the common fruit fly, ''Drosophila melanogaster''. As well as being a common pest, the fruit fly is known for its extensive use in experiments and studies of [[genetics]]. | [[Image:Female_Mexican_fruit_fly.jpg|thumb|200px|Female Mexican fruit fly]]The name '''fruit flies''' can apply to any [[fly]] of the family ''Tephritidae''. More commonly, however, it refers to the common fruit fly, ''Drosophila melanogaster''. As well as being a common pest, the fruit fly is known for its extensive use in experiments and studies of [[genetics]]. | ||
| − | There has been controversy due to experiments supposedly proving evolution with controlled fruit fly populations. Due to their rapid life cycle scientists are able to subject dozens, even hundreds of generations of flies to the same environmental pressures. They claim that the results clearly show the flies evolving to better cope with the conditions of their environment<ref>http://www.arn.org/blogs/index.php/literature/2010/10/07/experimental_evolution_in_fruit_flies</ref>. However, this is most likely due to intential alterations made by God as a test of faith. | + | There has been controversy due to experiments supposedly proving evolution with controlled fruit fly populations. Due to their rapid life cycle scientists are able to subject dozens, even hundreds of generations of flies to the same environmental pressures. They claim that the results clearly show the flies evolving to better cope with the conditions of their environment<ref>http://www.arn.org/blogs/index.php/literature/2010/10/07/experimental_evolution_in_fruit_flies</ref>. However, this is most likely due to intential, discreet alterations made by God as a test of faith. |
[[Fruits|Fruit]] flies tend to be drawn to any sources of rotten or fermenting [[food]]. They reproduce by laying eggs (up to 500) among organic waste. The larvae, [[maggot|maggots]], will then hatch and feed. The lifecycle from [[egg]] to adult can be completed in about a week. | [[Fruits|Fruit]] flies tend to be drawn to any sources of rotten or fermenting [[food]]. They reproduce by laying eggs (up to 500) among organic waste. The larvae, [[maggot|maggots]], will then hatch and feed. The lifecycle from [[egg]] to adult can be completed in about a week. | ||
Revision as of 22:33, February 9, 2011
The name fruit flies can apply to any fly of the family Tephritidae. More commonly, however, it refers to the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. As well as being a common pest, the fruit fly is known for its extensive use in experiments and studies of genetics.
There has been controversy due to experiments supposedly proving evolution with controlled fruit fly populations. Due to their rapid life cycle scientists are able to subject dozens, even hundreds of generations of flies to the same environmental pressures. They claim that the results clearly show the flies evolving to better cope with the conditions of their environment[1]. However, this is most likely due to intential, discreet alterations made by God as a test of faith.
Fruit flies tend to be drawn to any sources of rotten or fermenting food. They reproduce by laying eggs (up to 500) among organic waste. The larvae, maggots, will then hatch and feed. The lifecycle from egg to adult can be completed in about a week.