[1][2] It belongs to the montana phylad, which diverged from the D. virilis species group in South Asia before its migration into North America.

The dark form of D. montana also possesses a slightly brownish black stripe along its back, spanning the length of its acrostichal region.

[4] Early studies mistakenly collected D. flavomontana when searching for D. montana, and species identification was only possible by observing fertility.

[4] Populations of D. montana have been historically found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia⁠—most notably in Vancouver, Canada, Finland, and throughout the United States.

[4] Drosophila montana typically reside near bodies of water within boreal forest regions, primarily in latitudes above 40 degrees North.

[1][2] The genus Drosophila includes the virilis group, which diverged in the Early Miocene period, between 7 and 11 million years ago.

These include a generally elevated resistance and an acclimation response to cold, which can be induced, as well as a photoperiodic female reproductive diapause.

[3][6] Adult D. montana congregate in breeding areas, with multiple males pursuing a single female simultaneously.

[12] Females prefer much shorter mating durations, and engage in physical struggles to attempt to throw off a male partner.

[13] Overlapping frequencies with environmental background noise can interfere with females' ability to detect the songs, which may compromise mate selection.

[14] D. montana produce cuticular hydrocarbons, commonly abbreviated CHCs, which act as olfactory or gustatory cues for attraction.

[9] Observed substrates for oviposition include phloem and sap flux yeast growths on birch trees, as well as decomposing stalks of the plant Nuphar lutea, the yellow water lily.

[9] The collection of virilis group flies, including D. montana, is significantly more successful when close to known beaver residences.

Beavers preferentially reside in bodies of water close to specific tree species including birch and alder, which they feed on in the winter.

The beavers' feeding activity produce fallen trees and stripped bark that supply D. montana, as well as other members of the virilis group, with their preferred sites of oviposition.

For D. montana, this relationship is typically observed in North America, specifically with the beaver species Castor canadensis.