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
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Verified Sightings

Displaying 97 - 107 of 107 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 25, 1990
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Florida Interior)
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Florida Interior)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Sep 04, 1998
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Florida Interior)
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Florida Interior)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jan 19, 2001
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Florida Interior)
Region: Orange County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Florida Interior)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jun 15, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Florida Interior)
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Florida Interior)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Aug 08, 1990
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Florida Interior)
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Florida Interior)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Oct 12, 2001
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Florida Interior)
Region: Osceola County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Florida Interior)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: May 09, 2001
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Florida Interior)
Region: Hendry County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Florida Interior)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Jun 28, 2000
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Florida Interior)
Region: Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Florida Interior)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Aug 20, 1999
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Florida Interior)
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Florida Interior)
Verified date: Apr 09, 2009
  Details
Observation date: Oct 10, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Brian G. Scholtens)
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (The Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Oct 03, 2008
  Details
Observation date: Oct 20, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Brian G. Scholtens)
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (The Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Oct 03, 2008
  Details

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