Fruit-fly
Guides
Aceratoneuromyia
Aceratoneuromyia is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae, subfamily Tetrastichinae. Species are primarily gregarious koinobiont endoparasitoids of Diptera, especially fruit flies (Tephritidae). The genus includes economically important biological control agents, notably A. indica, which has been used worldwide in field release programs against fruit fly pests. Recent taxonomic work has synonymized Trjapitzinichus under this genus and described three new species from China.
Acidogona dichromata
Acidogona dichromata is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Snow in 1894. It belongs to the subfamily Tephritinae and tribe Noeetini. Like other tephritid flies, it likely has patterned wings characteristic of this family. The species is part of a genus distributed in the Neotropical region.
Acinia picturata
sourbush seed fly
Acinia picturata, the sourbush seed fly, is a tephritid fruit fly species first described by Snow in 1894. It has been recorded in association with Pluchea odorata (Asteraceae), representing a documented host plant relationship. The species has established populations in both native and introduced ranges across the Americas and Pacific islands.
Anastrepha
fruit flies, tephritid fruit flies
Anastrepha is a highly diverse genus of tephritid fruit flies native to the American tropics and subtropics, comprising over 300 described species. The genus includes nine major agricultural pest species that inflict substantial damage on commercial fruit crops including citrus, mango, guava, and papaya. Species exhibit variation in oviposition behavior, with females depositing eggs in developing fruit, mature fruit, or seeds depending on the species. The genus has been reorganized taxonomically to include species formerly placed in Toxotrypana, and contains notable cryptic species complexes such as the Anastrepha fraterculus group.
Anastrepha ludens
Mexican fruit fly, Mexfly
Anastrepha ludens, the Mexican fruit fly or Mexfly, is a major agricultural pest native to Mexico and Central America. It is one of the most economically damaging fruit flies, particularly threatening citrus and mango production. The species is notable among Anastrepha species for its subtropical distribution, allowing it to range further north than most congeners. It has been repeatedly introduced to the United States, where it is subject to intensive eradication efforts using sterile insect technique and biological control. The USDA estimates it causes $1.44 billion in damage over five-year periods.
Anastrepha suspensa
Caribbean fruit fly, Greater Antillean fruit fly, guava fruit fly, Caribfly
Anastrepha suspensa is a tephritid fruit fly native to the Caribbean region and now established in Florida. Adults are 11–14 mm long with yellow-orange-brown coloration and distinctive wing venation patterns. The species is a significant agricultural pest, infesting over 100 host plants with particular preference for guava, Cayenne cherry, and citrus. Females possess a serrated ovipositor for cutting into fruit to deposit eggs. Mating occurs through lek formation on host fruit, with males establishing territories and producing acoustic signals through wing vibrations.
Bactrocera
fruit flies
Bactrocera is a large genus of tephritid fruit flies comprising approximately 500 described species. The genus name derives from Ancient Greek 'bakter' (rod) and 'kera' (horn). Many species are economically significant agricultural pests that infest fruits and vegetables. The genus underwent major taxonomic revision in 2015 when Zeugodacus was split from Bactrocera based on DNA evidence.
Biosteres
Biosteres is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, first described by Förster in 1862. Species in this genus are solitary or gregarious endoparasitoids, primarily attacking larvae of tephritid fruit flies. Several species, including B. longicaudatus, B. arisanus, and B. tryoni, have been extensively studied for their use in biological control programs against economically important fruit pests. The genus has an almost cosmopolitan distribution, with species documented across Europe, Asia, North America, and other regions.
Campiglossa clathrata
Campiglossa clathrata is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Loew in 1862 under the basionym Trypeta clathrata. The species belongs to the large genus Campiglossa, which comprises numerous tephritid species distributed across various regions. Like other members of its family, this species is characterized by distinctive wing patterning. Available information on this species is limited, with only one documented observation in iNaturalist and minimal published biological data.
Campiglossa fuscata
Campiglossa fuscata is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Macquart in 1851. The species is known only from Australia. As a member of Campiglossa, it belongs to a genus whose larvae commonly develop in flowerheads of Asteraceae, though specific host records for this species are not documented.
Campiglossa genalis
Campiglossa genalis is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, originally described as Trypeta genalis by Thomson in 1869. It belongs to the large genus Campiglossa, which comprises numerous species of small to medium-sized tephritid flies. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only two records in iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Campiglossa jamesi
Campiglossa jamesi is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Novák in 1974. It belongs to the genus Campiglossa, a group of tephritid flies commonly known as gall flies or fruit flies. The species is known to occur in Canada and the United States.
Campiglossa murina
Campiglossa murina is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Doane in 1899. It is distributed across western North America from Alaska and Yukon south to California and New Mexico. The species belongs to a genus of true fruit flies that are often associated with plants in the Asteraceae family.
Ceratitis
Mediterranean fruit flies
Ceratitis is a genus of tephritid fruit flies comprising approximately 80 species, with Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly) being the most economically significant and widely studied. The genus is organized into six subgenera: Acropteromma, Ceratalaspis, Ceratitis, Hoplolophomyia, Pardalaspis, and Pterandrus. Multiple Ceratitis species are major agricultural pests, particularly in Africa, the Mediterranean region, and areas where they have been introduced. The genus has been extensively studied for sterile insect technique applications, with C. capitata serving as a model organism for biological control research.
Ceratitis capitata
Mediterranean fruit fly, medfly
Ceratitis capitata, the Mediterranean fruit fly or medfly, is a highly destructive agricultural pest native to sub-Saharan Africa. It has established populations across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with frequent incursions into temperate areas including California, Florida, and Texas. The species is considered one of the most economically important fruit flies due to its exceptionally broad host range—over 200 fruit and vegetable species—and its ability to tolerate cooler climates better than most tropical fruit fly species. Adults are small yellow-brown flies with distinctive black thoracic markings.
Chymomyza amoena
A Nearctic drosophilid fruit fly native to eastern United States forests. It has established as an invasive species in Europe since its discovery in former Czechoslovakia in 1975, subsequently spreading to Switzerland, Italy, and German border regions. The species exhibits a distinctive ecological strategy: breeding in damaged or parasitized nuts and fruits rather than relying solely on fermenting substrates. This behavioral constancy for interspecies dependency—exploiting substrates pre-conditioned by other insects—has enabled it to occupy a vacant niche in European ecosystems.
Cladochaeta sturtevanti
Cladochaeta sturtevanti is a species of fruit fly described by Wheeler & Takada in 1971. It belongs to the family Drosophilidae and is placed in the tribe Cladochaetini. Very little specific information about its biology or ecology has been published. The species is one of relatively few in the genus Cladochaeta, which is characterized by distinctive wing venation patterns.
Cryptotreta cislimitensis
Cryptotreta cislimitensis is a species of tephritid fruit fly described by Steyskal in 1977. It belongs to the genus Cryptotreta within the tribe Eutretini, a group of fruit flies known for their often patterned wings and association with plants. Very little published information exists on the biology or ecology of this species.
Diachasmimorpha
Diachasmimorpha is a genus of braconid parasitoid wasps in the subfamily Opiinae, established in 1913. The genus is most clearly defined by an apical sinuate ovipositor, a synapomorphic character that defines a monophyletic lineage. Species in this genus are solitary endoparasitoids of tephritid fruit fly larvae and are widely used as biological control agents in integrated pest management programs. The genus is relatively small and primarily distributed in subtropical regions, with some species extending into the Nearctic and northern Neotropical regions.
Drosophila cardini
Drosophila cardini is a fruit fly species in the Drosophila cardini species group, first described by Sturtevant in 1916 from Havana, Cuba. It belongs to a morphologically similar sibling species complex that includes D. cardinoides and D. polymorpha. Taxonomic reanalysis of Brazilian specimens revealed that most records previously attributed to D. cardinoides were actually D. cardini, particularly from drier regions. The species demonstrates strong adaptation to arid and semi-arid environments compared to its congeners.
Drosophila quinaria
Drosophila quinaria is a species of fruit fly in the Drosophila quinaria species group, first described by Loew in 1866. Unlike most members of its species group, which feed primarily on mushrooms, D. quinaria has independently evolved a diet of decaying vegetative matter. The species is part of a speciose lineage of mushroom-breeding flies that have been studied for their specialist ecology, host-parasite interactions, population genetics, and evolution of immune systems.
Dyseuaresta mexicana
Dyseuaresta mexicana is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Wiedemann in 1830. It occurs from the southern United States through Central America and the West Indies. Host plant records document associations with Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed) and Mikania scandens (climbing hempweed) in Florida.
Dyseuaresta sobrinata
Dyseuaresta sobrinata is a small tephritid fruit fly described by Wulp in 1900. Adults measure 3–5 mm in length. The species occurs from the United States south to Costa Rica. It belongs to the genus Dyseuaresta within the tribe Tephritini.
Euaresta aequalis
burr-seed fly
Euaresta aequalis is a North American fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, commonly known as the burr-seed fly. It is a specialist herbivore whose only known host is the common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium). Females possess large ovipositors adapted for penetrating the hard, spiny burr capsules to deposit eggs. The species was introduced to Australia in the 1930s as a biological control agent for invasive cocklebur but established only at low levels and proved ineffective. It is univoltine, with adults active from mid-July to mid-August.
Euaresta bella
Common Ragweed Fruit Fly
Euaresta bella is a tephritid fruit fly species commonly known as the Common Ragweed Fruit Fly. It is specialized on Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed) as its sole known larval host plant. The species has a univoltine life cycle, producing one generation annually. It occurs in North America with documented records from the United States including Vermont.
Euaresta bellula
Euaresta bellula is a species of tephritid fruit fly described by Snow in 1894. It belongs to the genus Euaresta, which comprises fruit flies associated with Asteraceae host plants. The species is part of the tribe Tephritini within the subfamily Tephritinae. Observations suggest it occurs across parts of North America, though detailed ecological studies remain limited.
Euaresta bullans
Spiny Cocklebur Fruit Fly
Euaresta bullans is a fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, commonly known as the Spiny Cocklebur Fruit Fly. The species is native to South America and has been introduced to multiple regions including western North America, southern Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, and Australia. It is associated with plants in the genera Ambrosia, Xanthium, and Dicoria, where it feeds on flowers and seeds.
Euaresta festiva
Euaresta festiva is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Loew in 1862. The genus Euaresta is associated with plants in the genera Ambrosia, Xanthium, and Dicoria, where the flies feed on flowers and seeds. This species belongs to a group of tephritid flies that have evolved specialized relationships with their host plants.
Euaresta stigmatica
Euaresta stigmatica is a fruit fly species in the family Tephritidae. It is known from southern California, where it develops on ragweed plants (Ambrosia spp., Asteraceae). The species was described by Coquillett in 1902. Immature stages have been documented in detail.
Euarestoides abstersus
Euarestoides abstersus is a small fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, restricted to the Bahamas and eastern North America. As a member of the genus Euarestoides, it belongs to a group of six recognized species distributed across the Americas. The species was first described by Loew in 1862. Published literature indicates that host plant and detailed biological data exist but have not been widely disseminated in accessible sources.
Euarestoides acutangulus
Euarestoides acutangulus is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, one of six recognized species in the genus Euarestoides. It has the broadest geographic distribution of any species in the genus, occurring across much of the Americas from Canada to Chile. The species is associated with plants in the Asteraceae family, particularly Ambrosia (ragweeds) and related genera. Larval development occurs within the flower heads of host plants.
Euphranta canadensis
currant fruit fly
Euphranta canadensis is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, commonly known as the currant fruit fly. The species belongs to a genus of true fruit flies that develop in various plant tissues. As a member of Tephritidae, it possesses the characteristic wing patterning typical of the family, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented in published literature.
Eutreta caliptera
Eutreta caliptera is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, a group commonly known as true fruit flies or peacock flies. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1830 under the basionym Trypeta caliptera. It belongs to the genus Eutreta, which includes gall-forming species associated with plants in the Asteraceae family. Relatively few detailed studies have focused specifically on this species compared to other tephritids.
Ganaspis
Ganaspis is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Figitidae (subfamily Eucoilinae). Species in this genus are larval parasitoids primarily of Drosophilidae and Tephritidae flies. Several species have gained significant attention for biological control of invasive pests, particularly Ganaspis brasiliensis against spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii). The genus has been recorded in Asia, North America, South America, and Europe.
Gymnocarena bicolor
Gymnocarena bicolor is a species of tephritid fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, described by Foote in 1960. It belongs to the genus Gymnocarena within the tribe Xyphosiini. The species is known from limited observations, with records indicating a distribution in Mexico and the United States.
Gymnocarena diffusa
Sunflower Receptacle Maggot
Gymnocarena diffusa is a tephritid fruit fly that develops exclusively on sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Adults are pale with patterned wings and feed on extrafloral nectaries. Females lay eggs between bract layers on sunflower heads, and larvae bore into the head to feed on developing tissues. The species is known from North Dakota and has been observed in Canada and the United States. It completes one generation per year, with larvae overwintering in soil after exiting the sunflower head.
Gymnocarena norrbomi
Gymnocarena norrbomi is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, described from eastern North America in 2012. The species belongs to the subfamily Tephritinae, which includes many phytophagous fruit flies that develop in plant tissues. Larvae of this species develop within the flower heads of specific Asteraceae host plants. The species is one of 19 currently recognized in the genus Gymnocarena.
Icterica seriata
Icterica seriata is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae. It belongs to the genus Icterica, a group of tephritid flies distributed in North America. The species was first described by Loew in 1862. Like other members of Tephritidae, it is characterized by distinctive wing patterning used in species recognition.
Jamesomyia geminata
Jamesomyia geminata is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, originally described as Trypeta geminata by Loew in 1862. It belongs to the genus Jamesomyia within the subfamily Tephritinae and tribe Noeetini. The species has been documented from Canada and the United States, with 31 observations recorded on iNaturalist. As a tephritid fruit fly, it likely shares the family's characteristic wing patterns and association with plants, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in available sources.
Leucophenga
Leucophenga is a large genus of fruit flies in the family Drosophilidae, comprising at least 240 described species. The genus was established by Mik in 1886 and is classified within the subfamily Steganinae. Species occur across multiple continents with documented diversity in India, northern Europe, and other regions. The genus has received taxonomic attention, including recent species descriptions from northern India.
Leucophenga maculosa
Leucophenga maculosa is a small fruit fly in the family Drosophilidae, originally described as Drosophila maculosa by Coquillett in 1895. The species belongs to the subfamily Steganinae and is part of a genus characterized by distinctive spotted or patterned body markings. It has been documented in multiple regions including the eastern United States, Hawaii, and parts of Brazil.
Mycodrosophila claytonae
Mycodrosophila claytonae is a species of fruit fly in the family Drosophilidae, first described by Wheeler and Takada in 1963. It belongs to the genus Mycodrosophila, a group of drosophilid flies often associated with fungal substrates. The species is documented in scattered observations, with 44 records on iNaturalist. Like other members of its genus, it likely has ecological ties to decaying fungal matter.
Neotephritis
sunflower seed maggot
Neotephritis is a genus of tephritid fruit flies established by Hendel in 1935. The genus contains approximately 12 described species distributed in the Americas. At least one species, Neotephritis finalis, is a documented pest of cultivated sunflowers, with larvae feeding within developing flower heads and reducing seed set. Adults are characterized by patterned wings typical of Tephritidae, often with dark markings and hyaline spots.
Neotephritis rava
Neotephritis rava is a tephritid fruit fly species described by Foote in 1960. The genus Neotephritis includes species associated with sunflower hosts, though specific biological details for N. rava remain poorly documented. This species is known only from limited observations in the United States.
Oedicarena latifrons
Oedicarena latifrons is a species of tephritid fruit fly described by Wulp in 1899. It belongs to the genus Oedicarena within the family Tephritidae, a group known for their distinctive wing patterns and association with various host plants. The species was originally described under the basionym Spilographa latifrons. Available records for this species are sparse, with limited observational data documented.
Oedicarena persuasa
Oedicarena persuasa is a species of tephritid fruit fly described by Osten Sacken in 1877. It belongs to the genus Oedicarena within the subfamily Trypetinae. The species is part of the tribe Carpomyini, a group of fruit flies often associated with host plants in the family Asteraceae. Available records indicate limited observational data, with 18 observations documented on iNaturalist.
Oxyna utahensis
Oxyna utahensis is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, described by Quisenberry in 1949. The species is known from the western United States and Canada. As a member of Tephritidae, it belongs to a family commonly known as true fruit flies, many species of which are associated with plants. Relatively little specific information has been published about the biology or ecology of this particular species.
Paracantha culta
Paracantha culta is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae. It occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a member of the subfamily Tephritinae and tribe Eutretini, it belongs to a group of tephritid flies often associated with plants. Specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Paracantha gentilis
Paracantha gentilis is a tephritid fruit fly species described by Hering in 1940 from Wyoming specimens. The species has a complex taxonomic history, with several taxa described by Malloch in 1941 (mimetica, mimetica elongata, mexicana) and Aczél in 1953 (sobrina) later synonymized under P. gentilis when wing pattern variation proved continuous rather than discrete. It is the first Tephritidae species in which the median oral lobe of larvae was described, a character now known to be shared by all non-frugivorous Tephritinae. The species exhibits a bivoltine life cycle with distinct behavioral and morphological adaptations for exploiting Cirsium thistle flowerheads.
Paramyiolia nigricornis
Paramyiolia nigricornis is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Doane in 1899 under the name Aciura nigricornis. It is a member of the tribe Trypetini within the subfamily Trypetinae. The species has been recorded from the northeastern United States, specifically Vermont.
Parastenopa
Parastenopa is a genus of tephritid fruit flies established by Hendel in 1914. The genus comprises approximately 10 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with records from the United States through South America. Species in this genus are classified within the tribe Trypetini of subfamily Trypetinae.
Parastenopa limata
Parastenopa limata is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Coquillett in 1899. It is native to North America, with documented occurrence in the northeastern United States including Vermont. The species belongs to the tribe Trypetini within the subfamily Trypetinae.
Paraterellia immaculata
Paraterellia immaculata is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, described by Blanc in 1979. It is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Paraterellia, a group of tephritid flies primarily distributed in the New World. The specific epithet 'immaculata' (meaning 'unspotted' or 'spotless') likely refers to the wing pattern, as many tephritids are characterized by distinctive wing markings. Very little is known about the biology or ecology of this species.
Paraterellia superba
Paraterellia superba is a species of tephritid fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, described by Foote in 1960. It belongs to the genus Paraterellia, which is part of the tribe Carpomyini within the subfamily Trypetinae. As a member of the true fruit flies, it is likely associated with plant hosts, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in available sources.
Paraterellia ypsilon
Paraterellia ypsilon is a species of tephritid fruit fly described by Foote in 1960. It belongs to the genus Paraterellia within the family Tephritidae, a group of true flies commonly known as fruit flies. The species is part of the tribe Carpomyini and subtribe Paraterelliina. Very little specific information about its biology, distribution, or ecology has been documented in available sources.
Peronyma quadrifasciata
Peronyma quadrifasciata is a species of tephritid fruit fly in the family Tephritidae. It is known from the United States. The genus Peronyma is placed in the tribe Dithrycini within subfamily Tephritinae. Very little specific information about this species' biology, ecology, or morphology has been documented in available sources.
Plaumannimyia
Plaumannimyia is a genus of fruit flies in the family Tephritidae, established by Hering in 1938. The genus contains three described species distributed in Mexico, Guatemala, and Brazil. As members of Tephritidae, these flies likely exhibit the characteristic wing patterning and body form typical of the family, though specific morphological details for the genus remain poorly documented in available literature.
Procecidochares flavipes
Procecidochares flavipes is a species of tephritid fruit fly in the genus Procecidochares, family Tephritidae. It was described by Aldrich in 1929. The species belongs to a genus known for gall-inducing behavior on plants, though specific details for this species are limited. It occurs in North America, with records from the United States and Mexico.
Procecidocharoides penelope
Procecidocharoides penelope is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae. It is distributed across northern North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a member of the subfamily Tephritinae and tribe Dithrycini, it belongs to a group of tephritid flies often associated with gall formation or plant-feeding habits. The species was described by Osten Sacken in 1877.
Pseudiastata nebulosa
Pseudiastata nebulosa is a small fruit fly species in the family Drosophilidae, first described by Coquillett in 1908. It belongs to the subfamily Steganinae, a group of drosophilid flies often associated with decaying organic matter and fungal substrates. The species is part of a genus whose members are poorly known biologically, with limited published information on their ecology or behavior.
Pteromalus
Pteromalus is a large genus of parasitic wasps in the family Pteromalidae, containing at least 430 described species. These small chalcidoid wasps are recognized as important biocontrol agents, particularly against pest fruit flies. The genus presents significant taxonomic challenges due to numerous cryptic species that are visually identical but genetically distinct. Many species remain undescribed, and identification relies heavily on detailed morphological measurements and modern interactive keys.
Rhagoletis
fruit flies
Rhagoletis is a genus of tephritid fruit flies comprising approximately 70–100 species. The genus name derives from Ancient Greek *rhago* (a kind of spider), possibly referencing the jumping spider mimicry observed in at least *R. pomonella*. Species are primarily phytophagous, with larvae developing in fruits of specific host plants. Several species are significant agricultural pests, including the apple maggot (*R. pomonella*), blueberry maggot (*R. mendax*), and cherry fruit flies (*R. cingulata*, *R. cerasi*). The genus exhibits strong host specialization, with females showing preference for ovipositing in the host fruit where they developed.
Rhagoletis basiola
rosehip fly
Rhagoletis basiola is a tephritid fruit fly native to North America, commonly known as the rosehip fly. Females oviposit in rosehip fruits and deposit host-marking pheromones post-oviposition, a behavior that deters conspecific competitors but attracts parasitoids. Egg production imposes measurable survival costs on adult females, representing a documented life history trade-off.
Rhagoletis cerasi
cherry fruit fly, European cherry fruit fly
Rhagoletis cerasi is a tephritid fruit fly native to Europe and Asia, and an invasive species in North America since 2016. Adults are small, dark flies with distinctive wing patterns. The species is univoltine, with larvae developing inside cherry fruits and causing significant agricultural damage. It is considered a major pest of cherry crops across its range.
Rhagoletis cingulata
Eastern Cherry Fruit Fly, North American Cherry Fruit Fly, Cherry Fruit Fly
Rhagoletis cingulata, commonly known as the eastern cherry fruit fly, is a tephritid fruit fly species native to North America and introduced to Europe. It is a significant agricultural pest of cultivated and wild cherry species (Prunus spp.), particularly sweet cherry (P. avium) and sour cherry (P. cerasus). Females oviposit into ripening fruit, and larvae develop within the pulp, causing direct crop damage. The species exhibits latitudinal variation in morphology and phenology, with European populations appearing later in the season than the native European cherry fruit fly (R. cerasi).
Rhagoletis completa
Walnut Husk Fly
Rhagoletis completa, the walnut husk fly, is a tephritid fruit fly native to central North America and now established in Europe. It is the most economically significant pest of walnut (Juglans regia) production, causing yield losses up to 80% through larval feeding on husk tissue. Adults emerge over a prolonged period from mid-May to October and are distinguished by a dark triangular wing pattern and yellowish-white scutellum. The species has one generation per year, with larvae pupating in soil and a small proportion entering prolonged dormancy.
Rhagoletis fausta
black cherry fruit fly, black-bodied cherry fruit fly
Rhagoletis fausta is a tephritid fruit fly native to North America, commonly known as the black cherry fruit fly. The species was first described in 1877 and later transferred to the genus Rhagoletis in 1899. It is a documented pest of cherry trees, with both cultivated and wild cherries recorded as hosts. Research in California has established its distribution patterns and seasonal phenology, and it serves as a host for the parasitoid wasp Diachasma muliebre.
Rhagoletis indifferens
Western Cherry Fruit Fly, Western Cherry Fruitfly
Rhagoletis indifferens, the western cherry fruit fly, is a specialist tephritid fruit fly native to western North America and a major pest of cultivated sweet and sour cherries. Adults are slightly smaller than a housefly with distinctive white abdominal stripes and patterned wings. The species exhibits obligate winter diapause as pupae in soil and has been introduced to Switzerland. Climate change poses a threat due to its diapause requirements.
Rhagoletis meigenii
barberry fly, yellow berberis fruit fly
Rhagoletis meigenii, commonly known as the barberry fly or yellow berberis fruit fly, is a tephritid fruit fly native to Europe, the Near East, and Central Asia. It has been introduced to the Nearctic realm, specifically in Nova Scotia, Canada, and the northeastern United States. Adults are active during summer months and are associated with barberry plants.
Rhagoletis pomonella
Apple Maggot, Apple Maggot Fly, Railroad Worm
Rhagoletis pomonella is a tephritid fruit fly native to North America that has undergone a major host shift from native hawthorn to cultivated apple within the last 150 years, making it a primary pest of apple production in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. The species exhibits host race formation, with genetically distinct populations specializing on apple versus hawthorn that show differences in seasonal timing, neurochemistry, and adult eclosion patterns. It has been introduced to the western United States and is subject to intensive monitoring and quarantine efforts due to its economic impact on fruit exports.
Rhagoletis ribicola
Rhagoletis ribicola is a tephritid fruit fly described by Doane in 1898. The species is known to infest gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa) and redcurrant (R. rubrum). It has been documented in western North America, with records from Canada and the United States.
Rhagoletis striatella
Rhagoletis striatella is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Wulp in 1899. It belongs to the genus Rhagoletis, a group of tephritid flies known for their association with fruit hosts. The species has been documented in the northeastern United States, particularly Vermont.
Rhagoletis tabellaria
Rhagoletis tabellaria is a fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Fitch in 1855. Its primary host plant is Cornus sericea (red-osier dogwood). The species is parasitized by the braconid wasp Utetes tabellariae, which has coevolved with flies in the R. tabellaria species complex. Laboratory studies indicate strict pupal diapause requiring extended chilling for successful eclosion.
Rhagoletis zephyria
snowberry maggot, western cherry fruit fly
Rhagoletis zephyria is a tephritid fruit fly native to western North America, commonly known as the snowberry maggot. It is a sibling species of the economically significant apple maggot (R. pomonella), with which it shares substantial morphological similarity and a history of occasional hybridization. The species is specialized on snowberry (Symphoricarpos spp.) as its primary host, and exhibits distinct adult eclosion timing that contributes to reproductive isolation from R. pomonella. R. zephyria is not considered an agricultural pest, though its visual similarity to R. pomonella creates identification challenges for regulatory monitoring.
Rhagoletotrypeta
Rhagoletotrypeta is a genus of tephritid fruit flies native to the Americas, established by Aczél in 1951. The genus currently includes nine described species distributed across the Neotropics, with records from Cuba, Argentina, and other regions. Species in this genus are fruit-infesting flies whose larvae develop inside the fruits of Celtis species (Cannabaceae). The genus is notable for its extended pupal dormancy periods, which can last approximately 12 months in some populations.
Rhinoleucophenga americana
A species of fruit fly in the family Drosophilidae, originally described as Gitona americana by Patterson in 1943. The genus Rhinoleucophenga includes species associated with ant-plant mutualisms, though specific ecological details for R. americana remain undocumented. The species is rarely recorded, with minimal observational data available.
Rhinoleucophenga obesa
Rhinoleucophenga obesa is a species of fruit fly in the family Drosophilidae. Long misidentified in the Neotropics, it is now confirmed as endemic to the Nearctic region with type locality in Texas, USA. Brazilian specimens previously attributed to this species have been reassigned to sibling species R. cantareira and R. gigantea based on morphological and molecular evidence.
Rhynencina longirostris
Rhynencina longirostris is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Johnson in 1922. The species belongs to the tribe Myopitini within the subfamily Tephritinae. As a tephritid fruit fly, it likely shares the family's characteristic biology associated with plant hosts, though specific details remain poorly documented. The species is known from the United States.
Scaptomyza adusta
Scaptomyza adusta is a species of fruit fly in the family Drosophilidae. It is native to Europe, with confirmed records from Great Britain and the Canary Islands, and doubtful records from Belgium and France. The species was originally described as Drosophila adusta by Loew in 1862 and later transferred to the genus Scaptomyza. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to a lineage of drosophilids that has undergone evolutionary transitions in feeding ecology.
Scaptomyza pallida
Scaptomyza pallida is a small fruit fly species in the family Drosophilidae. It is found in Europe, with distribution records from the Azores islands including Faial, Flores, Pico, São Jorge, and São Miguel. The genus Scaptomyza includes both herbivorous and non-herbivorous species, though the specific biology of S. pallida remains poorly documented. It belongs to a lineage nested within the Drosophilidae that has undergone evolutionary transitions to herbivory.
Stegana antigua
Stegana antigua is a species of small fly in the family Drosophilidae, subfamily Steganinae. It was described by Wheeler in 1960. The genus Stegana is part of the tribe Steganini within the subfamily Steganinae, a group of flies commonly known as vinegar flies or fruit flies, though distinct from the more widely known Drosophila melanogaster species group. Members of this subfamily are typically associated with decaying plant material and fungal substrates.
Stegana vittata
Stegana vittata is a species of fruit fly in the family Drosophilidae, placed in the subfamily Steganinae. The genus Stegana comprises small flies typically associated with decaying organic matter and fungal substrates. Beyond its taxonomic placement, specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Stenopa affinis
Stenopa affinis is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, described by Quisenberry in 1949. It belongs to the subfamily Tephritinae and tribe Dithrycini. The genus Stenopa is placed within the subtribe Cecidocharina. Like other tephritid flies, it is likely associated with plant material, though specific host relationships remain undocumented.
Stenopa vulnerata
Stenopa vulnerata is a species of tephritid fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, originally described as Trypeta vulnerata by Loew in 1873. The genus Stenopa is classified within the tribe Dithrycini, subtribe Cecidocharina. Very little is known about the specific biology of this species. As with other tephritid flies, adults likely have distinctive wing patterns used in species recognition.
Strauzia intermedia
Strauzia intermedia is a species of tephritid fruit fly in the family Tephritidae. The species was originally described as Trypeta intermedia by Loew in 1873. It has been documented developing in Rudbeckia laciniata (cutleaf coneflower), indicating a specialized host relationship with this plant. As a member of the genus Strauzia, it belongs to a group of fruit flies commonly associated with Asteraceae host plants.
Strauzia noctipennis
Strauzia noctipennis is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, described by Stoltzfus in 1988. It belongs to the genus Strauzia, a group of tephritid flies whose larvae typically develop within stems of Asteraceae plants. The specific epithet "noctipennis" (night-winged) may allude to dark wing markings or coloration. Like other members of this genus, it is likely associated with sunflower or related composite plants, though specific host records for this species remain undocumented in available sources.
Strauzia perfecta
Strauzia perfecta is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Loew in 1873. It belongs to the genus Strauzia, a group of tephritid flies whose larvae develop in plant stems. The species is accepted as valid in major taxonomic databases. Specific biological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Tephritis
Tephritis is a large genus of true fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) comprising approximately 170 described species, making it the sixth largest genus in the family. Species occur across diverse climate zones from hot semidesert to tundra, with the greatest diversity in the Palearctic region. Most species are associated with Asteraceae plants, inhabiting inflorescences of several tribes including Cardueae, Cichorieae, Anthemideae, Inuleae, and Senecioneae. Some species cause gall formation on host plants. The genus has been extensively studied for host-race formation and incipient speciation, particularly in T. conura and T. bardanae, which show genetic and morphological differentiation correlated with host-plant use.
Tephritis angustipennis
narrow-winged fruit fly
Tephritis angustipennis is a tephritid fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) first described by Loew in 1844. It is a phytophagous seed predator specializing on Asteraceae plants, particularly Aster species. The species is notable for its narrow wings with reduced pattern elements compared to congeners. It has been recorded across Europe, Asia, and North America, with recent studies documenting significant populations in the Three Rivers Source Region of China where it impacts native Aster seed production. T. angustipennis was recently synonymized with T. ptarmicae Hering, 1935.
Tephritis arizonaensis
Tephritis arizonaensis is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, described by Quisenberry in 1951. It belongs to the genus Tephritis, a group of true fruit flies whose larvae typically develop within plant tissues, particularly flower heads and stems. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States and Mexico. As with other members of Tephritidae, it is likely associated with specific host plants, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Tephritis californica
Tephritis californica is a true fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, described by Doane in 1899. It belongs to the genus Tephritis, a group of small flies known for their patterned wings and association with Asteraceae host plants. The species is recorded from the United States, though specific details about its biology remain limited in published literature.
Tephritis ovatipennis
Tephritis ovatipennis is a species of true fruit fly (Tephritidae) described by Foote in 1960. It belongs to the genus Tephritis, a group of gall-forming or stem-boring flies associated with Asteraceae host plants. The species is known from North America, specifically recorded in the United States and Canada. As with most Tephritis species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Tephritis rufipennis
Tephritis rufipennis is a North American tephritid fruit fly described by Doane in 1899. The species is distinguished from congeners by a distinctive wing pattern featuring dark edges, making it readily identifiable among North American Tephritis. It belongs to a genus of true fruit flies whose larvae develop in the flower heads of Asteraceae plants. The species has been the subject of taxonomic study by specialists in Tephritidae systematics.
Tephritis webbii
Tephritis webbii is a species of true fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Doane in 1899. It belongs to the genus Tephritis, a group of small to medium-sized flies characterized by patterned wings. The species has been recorded in Canada and the United States. Information regarding its biology, host plants, and specific habitat preferences remains limited in the available literature.
Tomoplagia obliqua
Tomoplagia obliqua is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, originally described by Thomas Say in 1830 under the basionym Trypeta obliqua. The species belongs to the subfamily Tephritinae and tribe Acrotaeniini. It is one of approximately 50 species in the genus Tomoplagia, which is primarily Neotropical in distribution.
Toxotrypana
papaya fruit fly
Toxotrypana is an obsolete genus of tephritid fruit flies now synonymized with Anastrepha. The genus was historically recognized for species associated with papaya and related Caricaceae, with Toxotrypana curvicauda (now Anastrepha curvicauda) being the most studied species. These flies are significant agricultural pests in tropical and subtropical regions where papaya is cultivated.
Toxotrypana curvicauda
papaya fruit fly
Toxotrypana curvicauda, commonly known as the papaya fruit fly, is a tephritid fruit fly native to the Americas and now established in Florida and other parts of the southern United States. Males are highly territorial, defending papaya fruit surfaces through aerial combat using specialized midleg armature. Females are attracted to male-produced sex pheromones and oviposit directly into papaya fruits, where larvae develop within the seeds. The species is a significant agricultural pest of papaya (Carica papaya) and has been recorded on alternative hosts including Jacaratia mexicana and Morrenia odorata.
Toxotrypanini
Toxotrypanini is a tribe of fruit flies within the subfamily Trypetinae of Tephritidae. The tribe includes economically significant genera such as Toxotrypana (containing the papaya fruit fly) and Anastrepha (a large genus of Neotropical fruit fly pests). Members are primarily associated with tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. The tribe is characterized by specialized relationships with host fruits, with several species recognized as major agricultural pests.
Trichomalopsis
Trichomalopsis is a genus of pupal parasitoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Species in this genus develop as ectoparasitoids on the pupae of Diptera, including economically important fruit flies such as Bactrocera dorsalis. Members exhibit robust environmental tolerance, with some species showing greater resistance to temperature extremes, starvation, and desiccation than related parasitoids. The genus has been documented from Asia, Europe, North America, and the Azores, with particular research interest in their potential as biological control agents against invasive tephritid pests.
Trupanea actinobola
Trupanea actinobola is a small fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Loew in 1873. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are known to develop in flower heads of Asteraceae. The species is documented from Canada and the United States.
Trupanea bisetosa
fruit fly
Trupanea bisetosa is a tephritid fruit fly whose larvae develop within sunflower heads. The species was originally described as Urellia bisetosa by Coquillett in 1899. It has been documented in southern California and Mexico, with confirmed host associations to wild sunflower (Helianthus spp.).
Trupanea californica
Trupanea californica is a species of tephritid fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, described by Malloch in 1942. It is distributed in the United States and Canada. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to a group of flies commonly known as fruit flies or peacock flies, many of which are associated with plants. The species is part of a large genus within a family known for significant agricultural impact, though specific details about this particular species remain limited.
Trupanea conjuncta
Trupanea conjuncta is a species of tephritid fruit fly described by Adams in 1904. It was originally described under the genus Urellia before being transferred to Trupanea. The species is known from a very limited number of observations and published records. Like other members of Tephritidae, it likely develops in plant tissues, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Trupanea jonesi
Trupanea jonesi is a species of tephritid fruit fly in the genus Trupanea, described by Curran in 1932. The species belongs to the family Tephritidae, a group of true flies commonly known as fruit flies or peacock flies due to their patterned wings. Distribution records indicate presence in Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul) and North America (Canada and United States), though these records may require verification given the geographic disparity.
Trupanea nigricornis
Trupanea nigricornis is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, originally described as Urellia nigricornis by Coquillett in 1899. The species belongs to the large genus Trupanea, which comprises numerous species of tephritid flies. It is known from the United States and Mexico. As with other members of Tephritidae, it is likely associated with plants, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented.
Trupanea pseudovicina
Trupanea pseudovicina is a species of tephritid fruit fly described by Hering in 1942. The species is known from very few observations and limited published records. It belongs to a genus whose members are commonly associated with plants in the Asteraceae family.
Trupanea vicina
Marigold Fruit Fly
Trupanea vicina is a species of tephritid fruit fly in the genus Trupanea, family Tephritidae. It is commonly known as the Marigold Fruit Fly. The species was originally described by Wulp in 1900 under the basionym Urellia vicina. As a member of the Tephritidae family, it belongs to a group of flies commonly referred to as fruit flies or peacock flies, many of which are associated with plants and have economic significance in agriculture.
Trupanea wheeleri
Trupanea wheeleri is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Curran in 1932. It belongs to the genus Trupanea, a group of tephritid flies commonly known as gall flies or picture-winged flies. The species is known from North America, specifically recorded from Canada and the United States. Like other members of its genus, it likely develops in plant galls, though specific host associations remain undocumented in the available literature.
Trypeta flaveola
Trypeta flaveola is a tephritid fruit fly described by Coquillett in 1899. The species is widely distributed across North America. Its larvae are leaf miners that develop within the leaves of several genera in the Asteraceae family. The species is part of the diverse genus Trypeta, which contains numerous leaf-mining fruit flies.
Trypeta fractura
Trypeta fractura is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Coquillett in 1902. The genus Trypeta belongs to the subfamily Trypetinae, a group characterized by distinctive wing patterns used in species identification. As with other tephritid fruit flies, T. fractura likely exhibits the family's typical wing patterning, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented in available literature.
Utetes
Utetes is a genus of braconid wasps in the subfamily Opiinae, comprising larva-pupal parasitoids of tephritid fruit flies. Species such as U. anastrephae and U. tabellariae are native to the Americas and have been studied for their potential in biological control of agricultural pests. These wasps develop internally within host larvae and exhibit competitive advantages over sympatric parasitoid species.
Xanthaciura insecta
Xanthaciura insecta is a species of tephritid fruit fly in the family Tephritidae. The species was originally described as Trypeta insecta by Loew in 1862 and later transferred to the genus Xanthaciura. It belongs to the subfamily Tephritinae and tribe Tephritini. As with other tephritid flies, adults likely have patterned wings characteristic of the family, though specific wing patterns for this species are not documented in the provided sources.
Xanthomyia nora
Xanthomyia nora is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, described by Doane in 1899. It belongs to the tribe Eutretini within the subfamily Tephritinae. The genus Xanthomyia comprises small to medium-sized tephritid flies, though specific ecological details for X. nora remain poorly documented in available literature.
Xanthomyia platyptera
Xanthomyia platyptera is a small tephritid fruit fly described by Loew in 1873. Originally placed in the genus Trypeta, it is now classified in Xanthomyia within the tribe Eutretini. The species is known from the United States, with limited published documentation beyond taxonomic records.
Zaprionus indianus
African fig fly
Zaprionus indianus is a highly invasive drosophilid fruit fly native to West and Central Africa that has established populations across tropical and temperate regions worldwide. It is distinguished by striking longitudinal black and white stripes on the head and thorax. Unlike many invasive drosophilids, it cannot penetrate intact fruit skin and instead exploits pre-existing wounds or oviposition holes made by other species, particularly spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii). It is a significant pest of figs, grapes, and other soft fruits, and exhibits strong interspecific competitive ability.
Zonosemata
Zonosemata is a genus of tephritid fruit flies in the family Tephritidae, established by Benjamin in 1934. The genus comprises seven described species: six from North America and one from South America. At least one species, Zonosemata vittigera, has been documented as developing within the fruits of Solanum elaeagnifolium (silverleaf nightshade), a noxious weed, suggesting potential for biological control applications. The genus is classified within the subtribe Carpomyina alongside Rhagoletis and Carpomya.
Zonosemata electa
Pepper Maggot
Zonosemata electa, commonly known as the pepper maggot, is a tephritid fruit fly native to North America. The species is an agricultural pest whose larvae develop inside peppers and related crops. Adults are small flies with patterned wings characteristic of the family Tephritidae. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1830 under the basionym Trypeta electa.
Zonosemata vittigera
silverleaf nightshade fruit fly
Zonosemata vittigera is a species of tephritid fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, native to North America. It is known primarily as a specialist herbivore associated with silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium), a weedy Solanaceous plant. The species has been studied for its potential role in biological control of this invasive plant. Like other tephritids, it likely exhibits characteristic wing patterning and larval development within host plant tissues.