Here are some characteristics that can be used to distinguish male from female adult fruit flies:

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE FRUIT FLIES:

• males are generally smaller than females
   

• the tip of the abdomen is more rounded in males than in females
   

• the posterior dorsal portion of the abdomen is solid black in males
   

• males have a small, black, comb-like structure (the sex comb) located about 1/3rd of the way up each foreleg (front leg) from its distal end
   

• dark bristles are associated with the male genitalia located in the posterior ventral region of the abdomen

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE FRUIT FLIES:

• females are generally larger than males
   

• the tip of the abdomen is more pointed in females than in males
   

• the entire dorsal surface of the abdomen in females has an alternating dark and light pattern
   

• Females do not have sex combs on their forelegs
   

• bristles are not associated with the female genitalia located in the posterior ventral region of the abdomen

See p. 11, p. 12, and the back cover of the Carolina Drosophila Manual for pictures and diagrams showing some of the distinguishing features of male and female fruit flies.  The Carolina Drosophila Manual is available from Carolina Biological Supply Company
 
 

CONTACT PERSON:  Robert Weibust - weibust@mnstate.edu

LAST UPDATE:  4/25/04

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