[Aim]  To compare the adaptability of the citrus fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis and melon fruit fly Zeugodacus cucurbitae to different fruit and vegetable hosts in the Sanya region to develop a targeted control strategy for these pests. [Methods]  Three biological investigations of female adults of these two Tephritid fruit flies were conducted under laboratory conditions; female fecundity on different days post adult emergence, the development and reproduction of each species on mango, wax apple, cucumber, pumpkin and some other fruit and vegetable crops in Sanya and whether females prefer to oviposit on fruits with intact or damaged peel. [Results]  The female fecundity of B. dorsalis was much higher than of Z. cucurbitae on its preferred host plant (P<0.01). The oviposition peak of both species occurred on the 20th day post adult emergence. Among the host plants tested, B. dorsalis adapted well to mango, banana and tomato, whereas Z. cucurbitae adapted well to mango, cucumber and pumpkin. Both species preferred to lay eggs on fruits with damaged peels. [Conclusion]  Both B. dorsalis and Z. cucurbitae can use multiple host plants in the Sanya region.