Cactus Moth (Cactoblastis cactorum)

Detections of the South American cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) on Singing River Island, Mississippi

On August 3, 2009, Opuntia infested with cactus moth larvae and egg sticks were located on Singing River Island in Jackson County, Mississippi just south of Pascagoula, Mississippi. Singing River Island is approximately 7.5 miles from the East End of Horn Island. Host plant material is being removed from this Island.

Detections of the South American cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) in Jefferson and Lafourche Parishes, Louisiana

On June 2, 2009, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed detections of the South American cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. This was the first confirmed detection of this pest in Louisiana. After deploying additional traps, the cactus moth was also detected in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana.

Detections of the South American cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana

On June 2, 2009, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed detections of the South American cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. This is the first confirmed detection of this pest in Louisiana.

Three life cycles without cactus moth detection; therefore, the outbreak is considered eradicated

In Isla Contoy, the cactus moth was detected in May 2007 thanks to the monitoring activities carried out by the “Regional Program of Eradication and Monitoring of the cactus moth” in the Yucatan Peninsula. The activities of eradication were immediately implemented, which included sanitation, trapping and sterile insect releases as strategic actions, with the participation of the experts from USDA-ARS and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). In February 2009, with the quarantine regulation based on the Tassan model, there were three life cycles without cactus moth detection. Hence, the outbreak is considered eradicated.

The official declaration of the eradication in the Official Diary of the Federation in Mexico in process.

Tres ciclos teóricos sin detección de la plaga, por lo que se considera, que el brote ha sido erradicado

En Isla Contoy, la palomilla del nopal se detectó en mayo de 2007 gracias a las actividades de monitoreo que se realizaban dentro del marco del “Programa Regional de Erradicación y Monitoreo de la palomilla del nopal” en la Península de Yucatán. Inmediatamente se implementaron las acciones de eliminación del brote que incluyeron saneamiento, trampeo con feromona sexual y liberación de insectos estériles como actividades estratégicas, con la participación de los expertos de USDA-ARS y la OIEA (Organización Internacional de Energía Atómica). En el mes de febrero de 2009, mediante el enfoque de la regulación cuarentenaria basada en el modelo de Tassan se cumplen tres ciclos teóricos sin detección de la plaga, por lo que se considera, que el brote ha sido erradicado.

Publication of the eradication of the cactus moth in IslaMujeres in the Pest Alert Phytosanitary System

The official declaration of the eradication in the Official Diary of the Federation in Mexico in process.

Declaración de erradicación del brote de palomilla del nopal en Isla Mujeres en la página Pest Alert de NAPPO

La publicación en el Diario Oficial de la Federación está en proceso.

Cactoblastis cactorum first detected on traps on Horn Island, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi.

4 moths were detected on pheromone traps on the western end of Horn Island in Mississippi. These moths were confirmed to be Cactoblastis cactorum by Dr. Richard Brown (Mississippi State University ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory). Horn Island is approximately 12 miles long which is double the size of Petit Bois. However, there are very few of the "large" species of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia Stricta) on Horn Island. Opuntia humifusa is the dominant species on Horn, with occasional patches of (Opuntia pusilla). Both these species are low lying and in clumps. Although the larvae do not prefer this species of Opuntia, the larvae will attack and can survive on O. humifusa.

Cactoblastis infestation found on Petit Bois Island, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi

On January 30, 2008, surveyors from USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine and the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) discovered 4 small infestations of Cactoblastis cactorum larvae in a localized area on Petit Bois Island, a part of Gulf Islands National Seashore. The identification was confirmed by the ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory and is the first know detection in Mississippi. In cooperation with the National Park Service, the infestations were quickly removed and the island was more intensively surveyed along with Horn Island further to the west. A few additional infested plants were found infested and controled, but no other infestations were found. Frequent monitoring continues along with the release of sterile moths to eradicate the population from the island.