Recent molecular and morphological results on the phylogenetics of Dro
sophila and other Drosophilidae are reviewed. There is some consensus
on the redefinition of Drosophila to make it a monophyletic group, exc
ept for the controversial placement of the Hawaiian Drosophila and the
subgenus Sophophora. The possibility of Hawaiian Drosophila as a grou
p that is morphologically atavistic (e.g., with many character reversa
ls) is discussed. Drosophila development is reviewed, with focus on un
derstanding the developmental genetic and molecular bases of character
convergence and reversal in drosophilid phylogenetics and its applica
tions to homology decisions. The clustering of convergent characters o
n cladograms is discussed as a consequence of developmental constraint
s. The convergent evolution of broadened head shape in male drosophili
ds is presented as an example. Molecular and developmental analysis of
homoplastic characters pivotal to phylogenetic schemes, such as eye s
etae in Drosophila sensu stricto and the Hawaiian species, can be of f
undamental importance for homology assessment.