We describe three new species of fruit flies (Tephritidae: Tephritinae) (Gymnocarena defoeisp. nov. and Gymnocarenanorrbomisp. nov., from eastern North America and Gymnocarena monzonisp. nov. from Guatemala) and redescribe Gymnocarena mississippiensis Norrbom. Gymnocarena monzoni is the first Gymnocarena species to be recorded from Guatemala. This brings the total number of named species in this genus to 19. New larval host plant (Asteraceae) records for Gymnocarena include Verbesina helianthoides Michx. for G. mississippiensis and G. norrbomi, Verbesinaalternifolia (L.) Britton ex Kearney for G. norrbomi, and Viguiera cordata (Hook. and Arn.) D'Arcy for G. monzoni. The latter represents the first record for Gymnocarena in Viguiera Kunth. Gymnocarena larvae were also recorded from Verbesina virginica L. but not identified to species. A revised key to the known species of Gymnocarena and additional information on larval host plants and biology are provided.