Species of the tribe Adramini (Tephritidae: Trypetinae) are usually slender, and some specific species have eyes borne at the ends of their long stalks. This tribe is mainly distributed in the tropics and subtropics of the Afrotropical, Oriental and Australasian Regions; relatively few species occur in the Palearctic and Nearctic Regions. The phylogeny of the tribe Adramini is presented here based on analysis of morphological and molecular information (DNA sequences of nuclear 28S rDNA, mitochondrial COI and COII, and 16S rDNA genes) for its representative species in most genera. Three monophyletic groups (Adrama‐com‐group, Pelmatops‐com‐group and Dimeringophrys‐com‐group) were discovered in the combined morphological and molecular tree. The results showed moderate support for the monophyly of Adramini and strong support for most of its genera. However, Euphranta appears to be polyphyletic. Sapadrama, Celidodacus and Euphranta are basal taxon, and Coelopacidia, Soita and Trypanophion are closely related to the stalk‐eyed fruit flies (Pelmatops + Pseudopelmatops). A hypothesis regarding the morphology–function relationships for two main groups of Adramini (Adrama‐group and Pelmatops‐group) with different evolving probabilities is inferred. Sapadrama is proposed be removed from Adramini; a new genus, Ichneumonomacula Chen gen. n. and a new species Ichneumonmacula wangyongi Chen sp. n., are recognized and described, and a key to recognize the genera of Adramini around the world is provided.

Species of stalk‐eyed fruit flies, in the genera Pelmatops Enderlein and Pseudopelmatops Shiraki, have a distinct head structure with eyes located at the ends of stalks, setting them apart from other tephritids. Despite their unique morphology, the intraspecific variation of morphological and behavioural traits in these flies is still not well‐studied, leaving some questions about species definition unresolved. To address this, we conducted a study combining morphological evidence, behavioural studies, and molecular analyses. Our findings revealed male polymorphism in stalk‐eyed fruit flies for the first time, with four morphotypes observed in Pe. fukienensis and three in Pe. ichneumoneus and Ps. angustifasciatus. These morphotypes differ in eyestalk length, wing pattern, and the presence of projections or spikes at the ends of the compound eye. We also propose phylogenetic and phylogeographic implications for the group based on new molecular evidence, along with our observations of courtship and mating behaviours between previously recognized different species. Our study examined four nominal species (Pe. ichneumoneus and Pe. tangliangi, Ps. angustifasciatus and Ps. continentalis) and revealed rich evolutionary interactions within this group. Based on the results, we propose the synonymy of Pe. tangliangi Chen with Pe. ichneumoneus (Westwood) and Ps. continentalis Zia & Chen with Ps. angustifasciatus Zia & Chen.