The paraphyletic subgenus Sophophora of the genus Drosophila was first described by Alfred Sturtevant in 1939.

[1] It contains the best-known drosophilid species, Drosophila melanogaster.

Sophophora translates as carrier (phora) of wisdom (sophos).

The subgenus is paraphyletic because the genus Lordiphosa[2][3] and the species Hirtodrosophila duncani[4][5] are also placed within this subgenus.

melanogaster species group montium species group ananassae species group fima species group obscura species group willistoni species group saltans species group Lordiphosa Hirtodrosophila duncani Currently, 10 species groups are recognized, in two main groups, the New World and the Old World[5][6][7] Old World: New World: Unknown: