What is a group of flies called?

Fruit flies, or Drosophila melanogaster, are a type of small flies commonly found in homes, grocery stores, and fruit markets. They are attracted to sugary or fermenting substances, such as ripe fruits, vegetables, and even rotting food in garbage bins.

Fruit flies are known for their rapid reproduction rate, with females laying up to 500 eggs in a lifespan of about two weeks. The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on decaying organic matter before pupating and emerging as adult flies.

These flies are often considered a nuisance due to their ability to quickly infest a space and contaminate food sources. They are also known for their agility and ability to evade swatting attempts, making them difficult to eliminate.

In research, fruit flies are often used as model organisms for genetic studies due to their short lifespan, easy breeding in laboratory settings, and well-characterized genome. They have been instrumental in numerous scientific discoveries and have contributed to our understanding of genetics, development, behavior, and disease.