Cactoblastis cactorum
Cactus moth ( Cactoblastis cactorum ), caterpillars
The cactus moth ( Cactoblastis cactorum ) is a butterfly of the family of European corn borer. She is originally found in South America, where she lives on cacti.
Features
Prickly moth Adultus has as a characteristic banding pattern on the front wings to brown-gray, similar to those of other species of the family, as well as black stripes. The hind wings are bright with darker ends. The wingspan ranges between about 20 and about 40 mm. The caterpillars are characterized by black spots on orange and red background. They grow to about 30 mm long. The species is determined only by microscopic examination of the separated male reproductive system.
Reproduction
After secreting pheromones by the females in the evenings and the response by the male copulation and after a short incubation period, the filing of 70 - 90, partly also to over 100 eggs in chain-like associations, on cacti. After less than a month, the larvae hatch and develop in the cactus before they form a cocoon on the ground outside of deciduous waste and pupate. Infected plant tissue turns yellow. The Australian population has two life cycles per year.
Economic Importance
The type was from 1925 to 1930 used successfully in Australia to bring the spread of introduced cacti species under control. Elsewhere, including in South Africa and Hawaii, the method was repeated. Today, she is native for a local use, even around the Caribbean and is a threat of cactus populations in Mexico