Cactobolastis Cactorum

Added in 2003 – Deleted in 2006Reasons for deletion:The pest Cactoblastis cactorum has been included in EPPO Alert List for more than 3 years and during this period no particular internationalaction was requested by the EPPO member countries. In 2006, it was therefore considered that sufficient alert has been given and the pest was deleted from the Alert List. |

Cactoblastis cactorum(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae – cactus moth)
Why Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae, synonym: Zophodia cactorum) originates from South America. So far, it has essentially been known for its use insuccessful biological control of invasive cacti. It was introduced from Argentina into Australia in the 1920s where it drastically reduced introduced Opuntia populations, so that large areas of landcould be returned to agriculture. The same efficacy was obtained in Hawaii, India and South Africa. But C. cactorum also spread to other parts of the world, in particular south-western USA, where itbecame a pest, threatening indigenous and rare species of Opuntia. In Mexico where Opuntia are important plants, used for fruit production, fodder, scale rearing (Dactylopius coccus) for dyeproduction, traditional medicine etc., C. cactorum is perceived as a very serious threat and measures are taken to prevent its introduction.
Where North America: USA (Florida (found in 1989), Georgia,Hawaii, South Carolina). In Mexico, there are unconfirmed records in Yucatan, but recent surveys gave negative results.
Caribbean: Antigua & Barbuda (Antigua), Bahamas, Cayman islands (GrandCayman), Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, St Kitts & Navis, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, US Virgin Islands.
South America: Argentina, Brazil (southern part), Paraguay, Uruguay.Oceania: Australia (New South Wales, Queensland), New Caledonia
Africa: Mauritius, Saint-Helena (Ascension Island), South Africa, Tanzania. Introduced in Kenya for biological control in 1996 but...