Drosophila melanogaster; common fruit fly
Scientific name for the common fruit fly, widely used in genetics research. In everyday contexts, it may simply be called ショウジョウバエ.
Drosophila melanogaster is often used in genetics research.
Fruit flies appeared in the kitchen.
General term for fruit flies (Drosophilidae); キイロショウジョウバエ specifies the species Drosophila melanogaster.
Katakana spelling is standard for this species name; usually written in kana.
Rarely used kanji form.
Rarely used kanji form with iteration mark.
Compound of 黄色 (きいろ, 'yellow') + 猩猩蠅 (しょうじょうばえ, 'fruit fly'). The name describes the yellowish body color of this species.