The article contains a minor mistake, but one which I have regularly come across and which ought to be corrected. Unfortunately, two separate and very different families of flies both have "Fruit Flies" as their common names and Mr. Hitchens has mixed up the two. Drosophilidae contain a large number of very small, usually plain-looking flies which are common in the warmer months, normally feeding in rotting fruits. Most everyone has some familiarity with species of this group, and individuals are often seen flying away from that banana you've just grabbed. Drosophilidae have no commercial or agricultural importance although, as Mr. Hitchens states, they have been of enormous scientific value. On the other hand, Tephritidae, also known as "Fruit Flies" are much larger flies, often with attractive colors and wing patterns. A large portion of the species in this family attack immature and mature fruits, and some of these are of significant commercial importance. The Medfly, Ceratitis capitata, is the most well known of these pest flies.

Thank you for the clarification!