For building up the Tephritid Tree of Life, we have so far accumulated fresh samples of 570 species of 220 tephritid genera, covering 11% and 44% of World species and genera, respectively. Based on the molecular systematics approach, the followings are examples of our findings: (1) two monophyletic groups within the superfamily Tephritoidea were clearly recognized (compatible with Willi Hennig’s Pallopteroidea and Otitoidea that are not currently used); (2) expanded concept of the family Tephritidae including parasitic taxa (Tachiniscinae, Ctenostylidae and Pyrgotidae); (3) reconfirmation of monophyletic Trypetini, Carpomyini, Tephritinae, and Dacinae; and (4) the first Tephritoidea might have evolved around the middle of Paleocene Epoch (~59 mya) and the family Tephritidae around the late Eocene (~36 mya).

The superfamily Tephritoidea is a large group of acalyptrate flies including over 7,300 described species arranged in nine families. All the tephritoid families excluding Richardiidae are represented in Korea, but their taxonomy has not been well studied. For example, a total of 80 species of the family Tephritidae are currently known in Korea, but our personal data shows that there actually are at least 150 species. Presence of highly variable or cryptic species has been hampering taxonomic progress involving this group of flies. Some genera such as Trypeta, Campiglossa, Oxyna, and Tephritis are good examples of taxonomically difficult taxa. We find that DNA barcoding is extremely helpful to clarify such taxonomic problems. We are currently trying to bacode multiple samples for every single Korean tephritoid species. A total of 271 specimens representing 185 species have been barcoded so far. Neighbor-Joining analysis of our preliminary data shows many interesting findings that are potentially useful to resolve long standing taxonomic problems. The followings are some of our findings through the DNA barcoding analyses: 1) multiple samples for each included species were almost always clustered together showing utility for specific identification; 2) multiple species per each genus were mostly clustered together; 3) clarification of male and female association of two closely resembling new Acidiella species; 4) strongly support synonymy of Sinacidia and Chetostoma; 5) possible existence of two cryptic species within Campiglossa defasciata; 6) possible synonymy of Dioxyna and Campiglossa; 7) possible synonymy of Herina zojae and H. hennigi; and 8) discrimination of two closely resembling Chaetostomella species.

Korean species of the genera Adapsilia Waga and Porogeloemyia Hendel are taxonomically investigated. So far, members of Pyrgotidae are known as internal parasites of adult scarabaeoid booties, but host relationships of the above two genera are not known yet. Based on the Korean specimens of these genera, adult external structures, including genitalia of both sexes, are described and illustrated. As a result, we recognized the following 10 species previously unknown in Korea: Adapsilia breviantenna sp. nov. ; A. coarctata Waga; A. cornugaster sp. nov.; A. hispida sp. nov.,; A. longifasciata sp. nov.; A. ochrosoma sp. nov.; A. tenebrosa sp. nov.; Parageloemyia nigrofasciata(Hendel); and P. wonjuensis sp. nov. In addition, we provided a key to the all 14 Korean pyrgotid species and conducted a cladistic analysis to infer phylogenetic relationships among them.