Drosophila melanogaster, the common fruit fly, is widely used in genetic studies. They express a number of mutations such as eye, wing, and body mutations. Students can study sex-linked, recessive, and dominant mutations. Drosophila also makes an excellent live food for mantises, small reptiles, and amphibians. Drosophila demonstrates complete metamorphosis with egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages in its life cycle.