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
Domain:	Eukaryota
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]

References

1. Steyskal, G.C. (1974). "A new species of Procecidochares (Diptera: Tephritidae) causing galls on stems of Hamakua Pamakani (Ageratina riparia: Asteraceae) in Hawaii". U.S. Dep. Agric. Coop. Econ. Insect Rep. 24: 639–641.
2. Norrbom, A.L.; Carroll, L.E.; Thompson, F.C.; White, I.M; Freidberg, A. (1999). "Systematic Database of Names. Pp. 65-252. In Thompson, F. C. (ed.), Fruit Fly Expert Identification System and Systematic Information Database". Myia. 9: vii & 524.
3. Fröhlich, J.; et al. (1999). "Biological Control of Mist Flower (Ageratina riparia, Asteraceae): Transferring a Successful Program from Hawai'i to New Zealand". Proceedings of the X International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds: 6–11.
4. Zancola, Brian J.; WIld, Clyde; Hero, Jean-Marc (24 December 2001). "Inhibition of Ageratina riparia (Asteraceae) by native Australian flora and fauna". Austral Ecology. 25 (5). doi:10.1046/j.1442-9993.2000.01087.x.