To distinguish them from the Drosophilidae, the Tephritidae are sometimes called peacock flies, in reference to their elaborate and colorful markings.

For terms see Morphology of Diptera and Tephritidae glossary Tephritids are small to medium-sized (2.5–10 mm) flies that are often colourful, and usually with pictured wings, the subcostal vein curving forward at a right angle.

The antennomaxillary lobes at each side of the mandibles have several transverse oral ridges or short laminae directed posteriorly.

Females deposit eggs in living, healthy plant tissue using their telescopic ovipositors.

The larvae develop in leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, fruits, and roots of the host plant, depending on the species.

One exception to the phytophagous lifestyle is Euphranta toxoneura (Loew) whose larvae develop in galls formed by sawflies.

Bactrocera dorsalis is another highly invasive pest species that damages tropical fruit, vegetable, and nut crops.

The genus Anastrepha includes several important pests, notably A. grandis, A. ludens (Mexican fruit fly), A. obliqua, and A. suspensa.

Another notorious agricultural pest is the Mediterranean fruit fly or Medfly, Ceratitis capitata, which is responsible for millions of dollars' worth in expenses by countries for control and eradication efforts, in addition to costs of damage to fruit crops.

This species lays eggs in a wide variety of unripe fruit hosts, causing them to rot prior to ripening.

[4] Some fruit flies are used as agents of biological control, thereby reducing the populations of pest species.

Several species of the genus Urophora are used as control agents against rangeland-destroying noxious weeds such as starthistles and knapweeds, but their effectiveness is questionable.

[5] Urophora sirunaseva produces larvae that pupate within a woody gall within the flower and disrupt seed production.

[7] Since economically important tephritid fruit flies exist worldwide, vast networks of researchers, several international symposia, and intensive activities on various subjects extend from ecology to molecular biology (Tephritid Workers Database).