Drosophila hydei, commonly known as fruit fly, is approximately 3 mm long and is usually found near unripe or rotting and fermenting fruit. Its body is segmented into 3 different sections and covered with an exoskeleton. It has six legs, two small antennae, a pair of wings (which extend slightly from its rear), and large red compound eyes. The complex, compound eyes allow D. hydei to see in many directions, allowing it to detect food or potential dangers (Miller 2000). Its eyes are sensitive to light intensity, so when approaching shadows signaling danger, the fly flees or takes flight (Demerec 1950; Miller 2000). Its body is gray-brown in color and shaped like an oblong oval, larger at the front and narrowing towards the rear. Tiny hairs cover the entire body, allowing the fly to detect movement in the air. These hairs alert them to disturbances such as the approach of predators (Demerec 1950; Miller 2000). The pupae from which Drosophila hydei hatch are orange-brown in color and are slightly larger than the adult fly. Males and females can be differentiated by the stripes on the males' backs, as well as their size. Males have wider stripes and tend to be smaller, while the female's stripes are narrower and will be larger (Miller 2000). To thrive, a food source of yeast and sugar must be present, as is the case with fermenting fruit. The mouth of D. hydei is specifically shaped to absorb liquid food sources (Miller 2000). The distribution range of Drosophila hydei is large and exists in many different habitats, ranging from temperate to humid forests (Bateman 1972). Since very cold temperatures have negative effects on insect survival, Drosophila hydei is not found near the middle of paper......fested by wasp parasites and other harmful microorganisms. Ants also pose a threat to D. hydei, often carrying away the larvae, destroying their ability to survive (Bateman 1972). The predatory relationship between ants and D. hydei larvae has a negative effect on the fly, as they are used as a food source, while the ant benefits, as it obtains a food source. Since Drosophila hydei is preyed upon by many species, its elimination would be detrimental to the many species that feed on it. Overall, Drosophila hydei is a unique species, capable of residing in a wide range of habitats, temperatures and light conditions. Much research has been done to determine the effect of abiotic factors on these organisms. Differences in temperature and light, in particular, have been shown to affect the behavior, growth and reproduction of the species..