What is the Difference Between Male and Female Fruit Flies?

06/24/2025 • Felipe Moraes

The main differences between male and female fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) can be found in their size, color, and abdomen shape. Here are the key distinctions:

  1. Size: Female fruit flies are generally larger than males, with longer abdomens. When comparing two flies, the smaller one is typically male.
  2. Color: The abdomen of male fruit flies has darker and thicker stripes compared to females, which have lighter and finer stripes.
  3. Abdomen Shape: The male fruit fly's abdomen is rounded at the bottom, while the female's is pointed.
  4. Sex Combs: Sex combs are located on the forelegs of male flies and look like thick black lines right before the joint. They are raised a little bit off the leg and pointed at the end.

By observing these differences, it is possible to distinguish between male and female fruit flies.

Comparative Table: Male vs Female Fruit Flies

Here is a table comparing the differences between male and female fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster):

Characteristic Male Female
Abdomen Length Short abdomen with few stripes Longer abdomen with more stripes
Abdomen Color Darker and more rounded abdomen Lighter and pointed abdomen
Stripes Stripes meld together and become dark toward the back Stripes are finer
Sex Combs Present on the first pair of legs Not present

Fruit flies are sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females have noticeable differences. Males generally have a shorter, darker, and more rounded abdomen, while females have a longer, lighter, and pointed abdomen with more stripes. Males also have tarsal sex combs on their first pair of legs, which are black and distinctive.

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