A cactus-eating moth released on Caribbean islands as biological control later reached Florida; since appearing there in 1989 it has spread west to Texas and become a threat to native prickly pears
Cactoblastis cactorum, commonly known as the Argentine cactus moth An invasive South American moth that was once released as a biological control agent in the Caribbean is now spreading across the southern United States, creating a serious ecological and economic threat to native prickly pear cactus populations. The insect, Cactoblastis cactorum, commonly known as the…
