Patterns of Ant Activity onOpuntia stricta(Cactaceae), a Native Host-Plant of the Invasive Cactus Moth,Cactoblastis cactorum(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is an invasive species in North America where it threatens Opuntia native populations. The insect is expanding its distribution along the United States Gulf Coast. In the search for alternative strategies to reduce its impact, the introduction of a natural enemy, Apanteles opuntiarum Martínez and Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), is being pursued as a biological control option. To identify promising areas to intentionally introduce A. opuntiarum for the control of C. cactorum, we estimated the overlap of fundamental ecological niches of the two species to predict their common geographic distributions using the BAM diagram. Models were based on native distributional data for both species, 19 bioclimatic variables, and the Maxent algorithm to calculate the environmental suitability of both species in North America. The environmental suitability of C. cactorum in North America was projected from Florida to Texas (United States) along the Gulf coastal areas, reaching Mexico in northern regions. Apanteles opuntiarum environmental suitability showed a substantial similarity with the calculations for C. cactorum in the United States. Intentional introductions of A. opuntiarum in the actual distribution areas of the cactus moth are predicted to be successful; A. opuntiarum will find its host in an environment conducive to its survival and dispersal.

Download Full-text

Rearing Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on Artificial Diet and Opuntia Cladodes

Journal of Entomological Science ◽

10.18474/0749-8004-43.1.95 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 95-106 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Orville G. Marti ◽

Ronald E. Myers ◽

James E. Carpenter

Keyword(s):

Artificial Diet ◽

Mass Rearing ◽

Current Control ◽

Florida Current ◽

Cactoblastis Cactorum ◽

Lepidoptera Pyralidae ◽

And Control ◽

Further Development ◽

Control And Eradication ◽

Cactus Moth

The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum Berg, is an invasive species that threatens economically and ecologically important native cacti in Mexico and the U.S. Southwest. The insect presently occurs along the coastal U.S. from Charleston, SC, to Dauphin Island, south of Mobile, AL, and in the interior of Florida. Current control and eradication tactics include manual destruction of infested cactus and the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), which involves the release of irradiated cactus moths to mate with wild moths and produce sterile offspring. The ability to rear the cactus moths in the laboratory has been crucial in research and development of survey and control techniques. Procedures for rearing the cactus moth in the laboratory on cactus cladodes and artificial diet are described and provide a foundation for the further development of mass-rearing protocols.

Download Full-text

Cactus Moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

10.1007/springerreference_85639 ◽

2012 ◽

Keyword(s):

Cactoblastis Cactorum ◽

Lepidoptera Pyralidae ◽

Cactus Moth

Download Full-text

Mortality and life-tables of Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) compared on two host-plant species

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485300018526 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

pp. 7-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Hamish G. Robertson ◽

J. H. Hoffmann

Keyword(s):

Host Plant ◽

Biological Control Agent ◽

Larval Mortality ◽

Adult Mortality ◽

Control Agent ◽

Life Tables ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cactoblastis Cactorum ◽

Summer Generation ◽

Lepidoptera Pyralidae

AbstractThe performance of Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) as a biological control agent of the cactus weeds Opuntia ficus-indica and O. aurantiaca was assessed by compiling life-tables for each host-plant, in both a summer and a winter generation, at a site in South Africa. Egg predation, mostly by ants, ranged from 54 to 74% and was significantly higher on O. aurantiaca than on O. ficus-indica. Larval mortality on O. aurantiaca was high during the summer generation (65%), possibly because of dehydration of cladodes. Survival on O. aurantiaca was 55 and 60% of that on O. ficus-indica in the summer and winter generations, respectively. Adult mortality, calculated from the life-tables, was 45 and 84% in the summer and winter generations, respectively. The most important components of mortality were natural enemies in the summer generation and weather-related factors in the winter generation. Host-plant-related mortality was not as great as was formerly supposed.

Download Full-text

Phenology and Egg Production of the Cactus Moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Comparison of Field Census Data and Life Stage Development in the Field

Journal of Entomological Science ◽

10.18474/0749-8004-44.4.341 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

pp. 341-352 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jesusa Crisostomo Legaspi ◽

Ignacio Baez ◽

Benjamin C. Legaspi

Keyword(s):

Egg Production ◽

Census Data ◽

Life Stage ◽

Cactoblastis Cactorum ◽

Potted Plants ◽

Body Weights ◽

Adult Sex Ratio ◽

Lepidoptera Pyralidae ◽

Life Stage Development ◽

Cactus Moth

Natural phenology and development of the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), was studied under field conditions in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, St. Marks, FL, from July 2006 to September 2007. Pads of cactus (Opuntia stricta Haw. [Cactaceae]) were visually surveyed weekly for presence of moth immature stages. Adult male C. cactorum populations were surveyed using a pheromone lure and wing style sticky traps. The field census data identified 3 generations per year which generally occurred in August to September, October to April, and May to July. Numbers of eggsticks peaked in midAugust, midOctober and midApril. High numbers of early larval immatures (1st to 3rd instars) were recorded in October 2006, May 2007 and September 2007. High numbers of late-stage larvae (4th to 5th instar) were recorded in September to October 2006, December to January 2006, June to July 2007. Peak numbers of Cactoblastis male adults occurred approximately in midOctober 2006, April to May 2007, and July to August 2007. Pupae were cryptic and difficult to sample. Development in field cages was studied by introducing cohorts of moth eggs on potted cactus plants (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) into the field at approximately the same times they were found to occur naturally. During the course of each generation, the potted plants were returned to the laboratory for determination of moth lifestage. Body weights and lengths also were recorded. In the field cages, 3 generations were observed and these coincided with the populations that were observed in the open field. However, the generations were more clearly defined because eggs were introduced as cohorts and most insects were recovered. Measurements of larval head capsules and body lengths show that development in the winter generation is slower than that of the summer and fall generations, although peak measurements are approximately identical in all 3 generations. Female pupae weighed 225.25 (± 4.8 SE) mg which was significantly heavier than males weighing 138.01 (± 5.5) mg. Pupal weights differed according to generation, but there was no effect on adult weight. Female adults weighed 130.3 (± 11.3) mg, compared with males, which weighed 60.81 (± 2.4) mg. Adult sex ratio was approximately 1:1. Male adults appeared to have emerged earlier than females in the fall generation.

Download Full-text