fruit fly

noun

: any of various small dipteran flies (such as a drosophila) whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter

Examples of fruit fly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Simply set out bowls of coffee grounds among your outdoor seating areas to prevent ants, mosquitoes, fruit flies, and squirmy critters from crashing your barbecue. Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2024 Residents with questions about the project or those who believe their produce may be infested with fruit fly larvae may call CDFA’s Pest Hotline at 800-491-1899. Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2024 Additionally, spoiled apples can attract fruit flies or other pests, leading to further issues in your kitchen or storage area. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024 The winning video was a close-up of a fruit fly embryo taken by Bruno Vellutini. Eva Amsen, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fruit fly 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1753, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fruit fly was circa 1753

Dictionary Entries Near fruit fly

Cite this Entry

“Fruit fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fruit%20fly. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

fruit fly

noun
: any of various small two-winged flies whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter

Medical Definition

fruit fly

noun
: any of various small dipteran flies (as a drosophila) whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter

More from Merriam-Webster on fruit fly

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