As some of their names suggest, these pest species are one of the most numerous and damaging groups of insects in their native range,[1] plaguing commercial fruits such as citrus, mango, guava, and papaya.

Diachasmimorpha longicaudata and Doryctobracon crawfordi are established in the Americas, including the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, and Brazil.

The gradient of altitude has been documented from 0 - 2.600 m above sea level, but the highest diversity is found below 1,000 m. One extreme exception is the morphotype Brazil 1 in the Anastrepha fraterculus complex that attacks peach, apple, cherry and other host in a dry, temperate and high valley system (Valle Sagrado de los Incas, Cusco, Peru) at 2,600 m. Common pest species are abundant and found in crops, orchards, backyard trees, and rare species occur in secondary or primary forest, and edges or boundaries of patches of forest between 750–820 m.[9] Anastrepha is mainly associated with tropical rainforests, but it is also found in subtropical regions such as southern of Florida.

[12] Norrbom et al. proposed to synonymize Toxotrypana and keep the genus name Anastrepha because it comprises more pest species of agricultural importance.

[15] Since then, adult and larvae morphology, molecular, isozyme, karyotype, host plants relationships, behavioral and mating compatibility have been studied.

The conclusion from a group with multidisciplinary expertise is that Anastrepha fraterculus sensu latus comprises eight cryptic species (morphotypes) with a wide range of geographical distribution.

[20] Thus, eight morphotypes are recognized, geographical distribution and host plant are better understood, but morphological and molecular techniques are still unreliable to identify specimens within this complex.

[21] Ideally, a complete larval description should include a combination of drawings and imagery (using compound microscope and SEM) of the morphological structures such as antennal and maxillary sensory organ, oral ridges, Cephalopharyngeal skeleton (CPS), both dorsal and ventral spinules, and anterior and posterior spiracles.

[21] Thirdly, feeding behavior (pulp or seed feeder) has not been very well documented and included as an evolutionary trait to enhance the phylogeny reconstruction.

[11] Genus Anastrepha is widespread from southern United States (Texas and Florida) to northern Argentina, including Great and Lesser Antilles.

The country records include United States, Mexico, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, British Guiana, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Suriname, Cuba, Republica Dominicana, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Paraguay, and Venezuela.