Tephritidae
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
Acinia is a genus of tephritid fruit flies in the family Tephritidae. The genus comprises approximately 13 described species distributed primarily in the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. At least one species, Acinia picturata, has been documented in association with plants in the Asteraceae family.
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.
Aciurina aplopappi
Aciurina aplopappi is a tephritid fruit fly described by Coquillett in 1894. It is placed in the genus Aciurina, a group of gall-forming or stem-boring flies associated with Asteraceae plants. The species is known from the United States, though detailed biological information remains limited. Only three observations have been recorded on iNaturalist, indicating it is rarely encountered or poorly documented.
Aciurina ferruginea
Medusa Gall Tephritid
Aciurina ferruginea is a gall-forming tephritid fly known as the Medusa Gall Tephritid. It forms distinctive pear-shaped galls on Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (sticky rabbitbrush) by ovipositing eggs into axillary bud exudate. Adults exhibit visual communication through wing displays, which likely function in species recognition and courtship. The species has been documented in the western United States.
Acrotaeniini
Acrotaeniini fruit flies
Acrotaeniini is a tribe of tephritid fruit flies within the subfamily Tephritinae, established by Foote, Blanc & Norrbom in 1993. The tribe comprises eleven genera distributed primarily in the New World, including the well-known genus Tomoplagia. Members are characterized by distinctive wing patterns and are associated with various host plants. The tribe has been documented in at least 601 observations on iNaturalist, indicating moderate field recognition.
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.
Bactrocera oleae
olive fruit fly, olive fly, δάκος της ελιάς
Bactrocera oleae is a tephritid fruit fly and the most destructive pest of olive cultivation worldwide. Larvae feed exclusively on olive fruits (Olea europaea), causing direct damage to pulp and oil quality. Annual crop losses can reach 30% without control, and exceed 90% in severe infestations. The species is monophagous on olives and has developed resistance to multiple insecticide classes, driving research into alternative management strategies including sterile insect technique and biological control.
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.
Carpomyina
Carpomyina is a subtribe of fruit flies within the family Tephritidae, subfamily Trypetinae, and tribe Carpomyini. Members are included in genera such as Rhagoletis, Zonosemata, and Carpomya. Behavioral studies indicate these flies exhibit complex resource-acquisition behaviors related to food, mates, and oviposition sites, with defensive behaviors against natural enemies.
Carpomyini
Carpomyini is a tribe of fruit flies within the family Tephritidae, subfamily Trypetinae. The tribe includes genera such as Carpomya, Goniglossum, Myiopardalis, and Norrbomella. Species within this tribe are associated with host plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, particularly Bryonia species.
Cecidocharini
Cecidocharini is a tribe of tephritid fruit flies within the subfamily Tephritinae. The tribe contains eight recognized genera, including economically significant gall-forming species such as those in *Procecidochares*. Members are distinguished by their association with plant galls, a trait that separates them from many other tephritid groups. The tribe was established by Hering in 1947.
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.
Chaetorellia
Chaetorellia is a genus of tephritid fruit flies (family Tephritidae) containing approximately 11 described species. Species in this genus are specialists on Asteraceae flower heads, with larvae developing within capitula and feeding on developing florets and seeds. Several species have been investigated or deployed as biological control agents against invasive thistles and knapweeds, particularly yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis). The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features and host-specificity patterns that have been taxonomically revised.
Chaetorellia australis
yellow starthistle peacock fly
Chaetorellia australis is a tephritid fruit fly native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean, introduced to the western United States in 1988 as a biological control agent for the invasive weed yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis). Adult females deposit eggs beneath bracts on host flower heads, and larvae tunnel into developing seeds, destroying up to 90% of seeds within an infested capitulum. The species exhibits a host-marking pheromone behavior that prevents multiple oviposition events in the same flower head and facilitates male aggregation. Despite significant seed destruction at the individual capitulum level, field populations generally remain low and have had limited impact on overall starthistle seed production.
Chaetorellia succinea
False Peacock Fly
Chaetorellia succinea is a tephritid fruit fly native to the Mediterranean region that was accidentally introduced to the western United States in 1991. It has become established as a biological control agent of yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), a noxious invasive weed. The fly was not intentionally released due to concerns about potential attack on safflower (Carthamus tinctorius). It has been observed to feed on multiple Centaurea species and may competitively displace the related biocontrol fly Chaetorellia australis where both occur.
Chaetostomella
Chaetostomella is a genus of fruit flies in the family Tephritidae, established by Hendel in 1927. The genus comprises approximately 16 described species distributed across the Palearctic region. At least one species, Chaetostomella cylindrica, exhibits host race formation on different thistle species, with documented genetic, morphological, and behavioral divergence between populations associated with Notobasis syriaca and Onopordum illyricum.
Chetostoma
Chetostoma is a genus of true flies (Diptera) in the family Tephritidae, first described by Camillo Rondani in 1856. The genus comprises approximately 15 described species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and East Asia. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized fruit flies, though specific biological details for most species remain poorly documented. The genus is classified within the subfamily Trypetinae and tribe Trypetini.
Chetostomatina
Chetostomatina is a subtribe of true fruit flies (family Tephritidae) established by Han in 1999. It belongs to the diverse group of tephritid flies, many of which are economically significant agricultural pests. The subtribe is part of the broader classification of fruit flies that includes numerous species with specialized relationships with host plants.
Cryptotreta
Cryptotreta is a genus of fruit flies in the family Tephritidae, established by Blanc & Foote in 1961. It belongs to the tribe Eutretini within the subfamily Tephritinae. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited observational records.
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.
Dacinae
Cucurbit Fruit Flies
The Dacinae are a subfamily of true fruit flies (family Tephritidae) comprising 39-41 genera distributed among three tribes: Dacini, Ceratitidini, and Gastrozonini. The subfamily includes some of the world's most economically damaging agricultural pests, notably species in the genera Bactrocera, Zeugodacus, Ceratitis, and Dacus. Many dacine species are attracted to specific male lures such as methyl eugenol, cue-lure, and zingerone, which are widely used in monitoring and management programs. The subfamily has a predominantly tropical and subtropical distribution, with significant impacts on fruit and vegetable production across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Australia.
Dithrycini
Dithrycini is a tribe of fruit flies within the subfamily Tephritinae of Tephritidae. Members are medium-sized flies approximately 4–5 mm in length. The tribe contains at least 11 genera including Dithryca (the type genus), Eurosta, Aciurina, and Platensina. Some species are associated with gall formation on host plants.
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.
Euaresta
Euaresta is a genus of tephritid fruit flies comprising 15 species endemic to the Americas. The genus is specialized on host plants in the genera Ambrosia, Xanthium, and Dicoria (Asteraceae), where larvae develop in flowers and seeds. Several species have been introduced outside their native ranges as biological control agents for invasive weeds. The genus was established by Loew in 1873.
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 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
Euarestoides is a genus of true fruit flies in the family Tephritidae, established by Benjamin in 1934. The genus comprises six species distributed across the New World, from Canada through the Caribbean and Central America to South America. Species are associated with host plants in the Asteraceae family, particularly ragweeds (Ambrosia), sagebrushes (Hymenoclea), and related genera. The genus was revised taxonomically in 2019, with three new species described from Peru, Brazil, and Colombia.
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.
Euleia
Euleia is a genus of tephritid fruit flies established by Walker in 1835. Species in this genus are leaf-miners, with larvae feeding internally on Apiaceae plant leaves. The genus includes at least two known North American leaf-mining species and has been recorded from northern Europe and North America.
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.
Eurosta
goldenrod gall flies
Eurosta is a genus of seven North American gall-forming flies in the family Tephritidae. All species induce galls on goldenrod (Solidago) stems. The best-studied species, Eurosta solidaginis, creates spherical stem galls and has served as a model organism for research on freeze tolerance, host-race formation, and plant-insect coevolution. Research has demonstrated that Eurosta galls accumulate environmental contaminants at higher concentrations than surrounding plant tissues, suggesting potential use as pollution biosensors.
Eutreta
Eutreta is a genus of fruit flies (family Tephritidae) established by Loew in 1873. The genus comprises 36 species distributed across three subgenera: Eutreta, Metatephritis, and Setosigena. Species in this genus are known for inducing galls on host plants, with documented associations to Asteraceae and Verbenaceae families. At least one species, Eutreta xanthochaeta, has been introduced to multiple regions for attempted biological control of invasive weeds.
Goedenia
Goedenia is a genus of fruit flies in the family Tephritidae, established by Freidberg & Norrbom in 1999. It belongs to the subfamily Tephritinae and tribe Myopitini. The genus contains at least one described species, G. steyskali, named in 2002. Like other tephritids, members of this genus are likely associated with plants, though specific biology remains poorly documented.
Gymnocarena
fruit flies
Gymnocarena is a genus of true fruit flies (family Tephritidae) comprising 19 described species. Most species are native to North America, with one species (G. monzoni) recorded from Guatemala. Larvae develop within the heads of plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), feeding on developing seeds and acting as seed predators. Several species are associated with cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and can be agricultural pests. Adults are characterized by patterned wings typical of tephritid fruit flies.
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
Icterica is a genus of true fruit flies in the family Tephritidae, established by Loew in 1873. The genus comprises at least two described species: Icterica seriata (Loew, 1862) and Icterica circinata (Loew, 1873). As members of Tephritidae, these flies are characterized by patterned wings and association with plants. The genus has been recorded from the United States, including Vermont.
Jamesomyia
Jamesomyia is a small genus of tephritid fruit flies in the tribe Noeetini, established by Quisenberry in 1949. The genus contains at least one recognized species, Jamesomyia geminata, originally described by Loew in 1862. As a member of the Tephritidae family, species in this genus likely possess the characteristic wing patterning and fruit-associated biology typical of true fruit flies, though specific details remain poorly documented.
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.
Myopitini
Myopitini is a tribe of fruit flies within the family Tephritidae, subfamily Tephritinae. The tribe comprises approximately eleven genera, including the well-known genus Urophora. Members are small to medium-sized flies, many of which are associated with plants in the family Asteraceae. The tribe has a primarily Palearctic distribution with some genera extending into other regions.
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.