Fruit flies such as Bactrocera dorsalis, B. cucurbitae, B. tau, B. minax and Carpomya vesuviana inflict serious economic losses on fruit producers. Chemical control methods are often used for the rapid and efficient control of these pests. However, long-term exposure to pesticides typically results in fruit flies developing pesticide resistance through a series of mechanisms, such as metabolizing toxins, changing gene targets, behavioral changes and gut symbiotic bacteria. This paper reviews the current situation regarding pesticide resistance, resistance mechanisms and control strategies with respect to fruit flies in the family Tephritidae.