Cape-ivy (Delairea odorata) is a vine native to South Africa that has escaped cultivation and is now a serious pest weed on the west coast of the US, Hawaii, and several other nations. The South African gall-forming tephritid fly Parafreutreta regalis is currently being considered for release as a biological control agent for this weed. The biology and life history of this fly were studied in our quarantine laboratory. Females oviposit eggs inside the nodes of Cape-ivy vines. Initial oviposition occurred between 24 to 72 hours for 70% of females studied. Flies have three larval instars and a pupal stage. Adults leave their gall upon eclosion and live up to 43 days, females mate soon after eclosion. The mean lifetime fecundity and the daily oviposition rate were also determined.