Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Cactus Moth
Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg, 1885)
Family: Pyralidae
Subfamily: Phycitinae
Identification: The adult cactus moths are non-descript brownish-gray moths that can only be definitively identified by a microscopic examination of dissected male genitalia, although the native species differ from Cactoblastis in having a more plumose antenna. Mature larvae are predominantly red or orange, and this color is interrupted by dark banding or spots on the body.
Wing Span:
Life History: Adult females lay eggs on top of one another, forming an egg stick that resembles a cactus spine. Larvae feed by burrowing into a pad. Their activity can kill the host plant.
Flight: Three flights in the southeastern United States: late March - May, July - August, and late September - mid-November.
Caterpillar Hosts: Pricklypear cacti (Opuntia spp.)
Adult Food:
Habitat:
Range: Native to Argentina, now found in the southeastern United States.
Conservation:
NCGR:
Management Needs: Prevention of further spread of this invasive species is a high priority. For more information, contact the Cactus Moth Detection and Monitoring Network.
Comments: NULL
BAMONA Shop

New April 2025 Earth Day Special Release Shirts!


Advertise with us!

Do you have a product or service that you think would interest BAMONA users? If you would like to advertise on this website, contact us by email, or use the contact form and select the "Advertising" category.


Verified Sightings

Displaying 1 - 24 of 107 verified sightings
Observation date: Mar 29, 2011
Submitted by: Peter Holm
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jan 14, 2024
  Details
Observation date: Feb 03, 2019
Submitted by: afranck
Region: Marion County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Feb 08, 2019
  Details
Observation date: Jul 05, 2016
Submitted by: Cheri Pierce
Region: Lake County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jul 17, 2016
  Details
Observation date: Jul 18, 2015
Submitted by: Flacofez
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Sep 02, 2015
  Details
Observation date: Jun 28, 2014
Submitted by: ridgeboy
Region: Polk County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Feb 03, 2015
  Details
Observation date: Nov 11, 2008
Submitted by: Pete Williams
Region: Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 23, 2011
  Details
Observation date: May 06, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Stephen Hight)
Region: Wakulla County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Stephen Hight)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jul 20, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Stephen Hight)
Region: Franklin County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Stephen Hight)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Nov 09, 2000
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Florida Interior)
Region: Flagler County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Florida Interior)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jul 26, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Stephen Hight)
Region: Orange County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Stephen Hight)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Sep 11, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Tom Harding)
Region: St. Johns County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Richard L. Brown)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Aug 27, 2003
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Stephen Hight)
Region: Okaloosa County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Stephen Hight)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Feb 25, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Stephen Hight)
Region: Chatham County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Stephen Hight)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jun 07, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Barry Snow)
Region: Volusia County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Richard L. Brown)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Mar 24, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Stephen Hight)
Region: Wakulla County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Stephen Hight)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: May 21, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Stephen Hight)
Region: Franklin County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Stephen Hight)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jul 20, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Stephen Hight)
Region: Franklin County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Stephen Hight)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Dec 15, 1997
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Florida Interior)
Region: Seminole County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Florida Interior)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jul 27, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Stephen Hight)
Region: Highlands County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Stephen Hight)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Dec 03, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Tom Harding)
Region: St. Johns County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Richard L. Brown)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Sep 24, 2003
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Stephen Hight)
Region: Escambia County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Stephen Hight)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Feb 26, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Stephen Hight)
Region: Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Stephen Hight)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Aug 04, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Randy Westbrooks)
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Richard L. Brown)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Mar 28, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Stephen Hight)
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Stephen Hight)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details

Advertisement