How Long Do Flies Take to Lay Eggs?

A fruit fly’s life cycle can be traced from egg to adult in as little as seven days in the summer to several months in the winter. They spend about half of their lives in their pupa stage before emerging as adults. Once they reach maturity, they look for nutrients and shelter on host plants. During the winter, their numbers tend to decrease but in the spring, their populations usually increase. The female fruit fly can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime.

During the warmer months of the year, flies are most likely to lay eggs. Female flies lay up to 150 white eggs at a time. These eggs are laid in clusters and are about half an inch long. The time it takes for the eggs to hatch depends on the temperature. When temperatures are around 99 degrees Fahrenheit, the eggs hatch in about seven and a half hours. If the temperature is around 59 degrees Fahrenheit, it takes two days.

Flies are often attracted to leftover food. Old food in the refrigerator or crumbs from a big meal can attract the flies. The flies then lay their eggs in the piles of food. Over time, this can result in several generations of flies. Fly eggs are also commonly found on produce that has been left out on the counter.