The ability to genetically transform the germ-line of non-drosophilid insects has been achieved as a routine process, and presently three transposon vector systems have are available for use tephritid species that include Hermes from the house fly, Musca domestica, Minos from D. hydei and piggyBac from the cabbage looper moth, Trichoplusia ni. Among these, piggyBac has been used most routinely in the genuses Ceratitis, Bactrocera and Anastrepha. Initial studies focused on introducing fluorescent protein marker genes that could be used for transformant selection, as well as for effective detection of transformants used in field-release programs. Further applications of transgenic technology include fundamental studies that identify and functionally test genomic sequences, as well as practical applications that improve existing biological control programs and provide novel means of control. New transgenic strains are being tested that may improve the sterile insect technique by allowing genetic marking and genetic sexing, and potentially, male sterilization. New strategies for biocontrol based on conditional lethality are also being tested. These include regulation of lethal gene expression by tetracycline-suppression in the RIDL system, and the use of dominant temperature sensitive genes that cause organismal lethality at either low or elevated temperatures. The efficient creation and ecologically safe use of such transgenic strains will depend on new vector systems that allow targeting of transgenes to specific genomic insertion sites, and stabilization of the transgene to prevent unintended movement within the host genome or to other organisms. New genomic targeting systems based on integrase and recombinase systems are available, as well as stabilization of the target site by terminal sequence deletion. With the development of these tools for transgenic strain development in tephritid species, there is considerable optimism that this technology can be used to enhance our understanding of tephritid biology, and ability to control pest populations.