Procecidochares alani

Procecidochares alani is a species of tephritid or fruit flies in the genus Procecidochares.^[2]

Procecidochares alani
Pinned P. alani from Onomea Hawaii.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Diptera
Family:	Tephritidae
Subfamily:	Tephritinae
Tribe:	Cecidocharini
Genus:	Procecidochares
Species:	P. alani
Binomial name
Procecidochares alani Steyskal, 1974[1]

Distribution

Stem gall of Ageratina riparia caused by P. alani in Hawaii.

The species is native to Mexico. Specimens have been introduced to Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia as a biocontrol agent against Ageratina riparia. Larve of P. alani feed on the inside of the invasive plant, and cause stem galls to form, impeding growth.^[3]

P. alani was first introduced to Australia in 1987 as a biocontrol agent, but had limited success as it was soon effected by native parasitoid wasps.^[4]