Cactus Moth - Hodges#5970.1
Cactoblastis cactorum
This record describes Cactoblastis cactorum (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
C.c. larvae are the most distinctive stage The moth has become a pest in se US. This South American moth was introduced into Australia to control cacti, which are not native to that continent and which were becoming a very serious pest. It was so successful that memorials and monuments to it have been erected by grateful citizens there.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phycitinae
- Tribe
- Phycitini
- Genus
- Cactoblastis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
TX to FL to SC - Map , spreading in Texas since Aug. 1, 2018 (TISN), or possibly even earlier since 2017 Imported to the Caribbean to control prickly pear cacti; arrived in the U.S. naturally or in cargo imported from the Caribbean (Johnson and Stiling 1998).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: prickly pear cactus - Opuntia spp.
Life History
The larvae feed internally on the pads of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) . ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cactorum (L). "of cacti"
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cactoblastis cactorum. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Cactus Moth - Hodges#5970.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by Bob Patterson , Beatriz Moisset , Jeff Hollenbeck , Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , Ron M. , David Ferguson , Randy Hardy , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Cactus Moth - Hodges#5970.1
What is Cactus Moth - Hodges#5970.1?
Cactus Moth - Hodges#5970.1 (Cactoblastis cactorum) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Cactus Moth - Hodges#5970.1?
C.c. larvae are the most distinctive stage
Where is Cactus Moth - Hodges#5970.1 found?
Range: TX to FL to SC - Map , spreading in Texas since Aug. 1, 2018 (TISN), or possibly even earlier since 2017 Imported to the Caribbean to control prickly pear cacti; arrived in the U.S. naturally or in cargo imported from the Caribbean (Johnson and Stiling 1998).
What does Cactus Moth - Hodges#5970.1 eat?
The diet of the Cactus Moth - Hodges#5970.1 includes prickly pear cactus - Opuntia spp..
What is the life cycle of a Cactus Moth - Hodges#5970.1?
The larvae feed internally on the pads of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) . ( 3 )