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Plant Health

Cactus Moth (Cactoblastis cactorum)

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Impact

USDA-PPQ White Paper on Economic Effects

United States

Mexico

Agriculture

  • Rangeland Grazing

  • Nursery Plants and Landscaping

  • Fruit and Pad Production in California

  • Fruit, pads (cladodes), and dye representing 2% of Mexico's total agricultural production

  • Cosmetics & other value added products
    Forage
Conservation

  • Loss of Biodiversity
    -     Species richness
    -     Endangered Species impacted

  • Habitat loss
    -     Major plant component of desert ecosystems (Sonoran, Mojave, Chihuahuan deserts)
    -     Wildlife habitat and food source

  • Biodiversity

  • Habitat loss

Human Impacts, Values

  • Recreation

  • Tourism

  • Hunting

  • Indigenous groups use for food, medicine

  • Importance to farmers in subsistence areas

  • Historically significant in culture and religion

 

 

 

Last Modified: March 6, 2009