Recently, many people on social media have been surprised to see tiny white worms appearing when strawberries are soaked in salt water. While it may look shocking, the explanation is actually quite simple and related to how strawberries grow in nature.
These small white worms are usually fruit fly larvae that may sometimes be present inside or on the surface of strawberries.
What Are the Tiny White Worms?
The tiny white worms that appear are most commonly larvae from a fruit fly called Drosophila suzukii, also known as the spotted wing drosophila.
Unlike many other fruit flies, this species can lay eggs inside fresh fruit while it is still growing on the plant. When the eggs hatch, the larvae develop inside the fruit.
In most cases, they are extremely small and almost impossible to see with the naked eye.
Why Do They Come Out in Salt Water?
When strawberries are placed in salt water, the environment becomes uncomfortable for the larvae.
The salt changes the osmotic balance and irritates them, causing them to leave the fruit and float out into the water. This is why they suddenly become visible after soaking.
