This study presents a literature review of Drosophilidae (Diptera) species occurrence in Brazil. The number of species recorded is 304, with Drosophila being the genus with the greatest number of species, followed by Zygothrica, Hirtodrosophila and Diathoneura, which belong to the Drosophilinae subfamily. Drosophila was shown to be the most investigated taxon in the family, with the best resolved species distribution. The low number of records of species from other genera indicates the paucity of studies specifically designed to investigate these species. Records of species for some regions of the country like the north and northeast, as well as for some biomes like Caatinga, Pantanal and the Pampas, are likewise rare. Apart from the banana bait, different collection methods may be necessary, like the collection at other oviposition resources, the use of baits other than fermenting fruit, and the adoption of sampling approaches that do not use baits.