Drosophila differens is an endangered species of Hawaiian fly in the family Drosophilidae.

This species is a member of the planitiba subgroup of the picture-wing clade of Hawaiian Drosophila.

[4] However, Hardy and Kaneshiro report that it is difficult to find any consistently distinguishing character.

[3] Threats to the conservation of D. hemipeza include loss-of-habitat, in part due to invasive pigs and rats, as well as introduced predators such as yellowjacket wasps.

Invasive plants such as Psidium cattleianum also threaten the conservation of D. differens by overwhelming native species and outcompete them for access to light.