I Soaked My Strawberries in Salt Water—Then Tiny White Things Started Wriggling Out
Strawberries look innocent enough sitting in a bowl. But one simple kitchen experiment can reveal something most people would rather not see.
After soaking strawberries in salt water, some people have reported seeing tiny white, worm-like creatures emerge from the fruit. So what exactly are they—and should you be worried?
🍓 What Are the Tiny White Things?
They are most likely larvae of the spotted-wing drosophila, a small fruit fly known scientifically as Drosophila suzukii.
Unlike many fruit flies that prefer damaged or overripe fruit, spotted-wing drosophila can lay eggs in healthy, ripening soft-skinned fruits. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and cherries can all be affected.
The larvae are extremely small and pale, which makes them difficult to notice while they’re inside the fruit.
🪰 How Do They Get Inside Strawberries?
Female spotted-wing drosophila have a specialized, serrated ovipositor that allows them to pierce the skin of ripening fruit and deposit their eggs beneath the surface.
