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

National Moth Week was July 23-31, 2022!

Moths are amazing creatures. Take photographs and share your moth sightings with us to document the moths where you live. Learn more.

Verified Sightings

Displaying 1 - 24 of 106 verified sightings
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: 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: Oct 03, 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: 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: 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: 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
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: 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: Mar 15, 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